Communication terminal, base station device, and control device

ABSTRACT

In a proximity service, when positional information is notifies to a server in advance and the proximity service is started, UE that transmits and receives data receives the proximity degree including a communication target UE from the server before proximity discovery is performed to discover the communication target UE, and the UE controls unnecessary proximity discovery by discovering the communication target UE based on the proximity degree.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of co-pending application Ser. No.15/706,083, filed on Sep. 15, 2017, which is a Continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 14/778,408, filed on Sep. 18, 2015, which in turnis a U.S. National Phase filing of International Application No.PCT/JP2014/057590, filed on Mar. 19, 2014, which claims benefit under 35U.S.C. § 119(a) to Application No. 2013-058056, filed in Japan on Mar.21, 2013, all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by referenceinto the present application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mobile communication system thatincludes a communication terminal, a base station device, a controldevice, a proximity terminal which is positioned in the proximity of thecommunication terminal, and a server device which detects the proximityterminal.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of theprior Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-058056, filed on Mar. 21,2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

In the 3GPP (the 3rd Generation Partnership Project) which is thestandardization group for a mobile communication system, thespecification work of EPS (Evolved Packet System) described in NonPatent Literature 1 as the next generation mobile communication systemhas proceeded, a wireless LAN (WLAN) as well as LTE (Long TermEvolution) as an access system connected to the EPS has been examined.

In the 3GPP, as described in Non Patent Literature 2, proximity services(ProSe) that notify user equipment (UE) of the presence of other userequipment in proximity have been examined. In the ProSe, the UE candirectly transmit and receive data to and from the proximity UE withouta base station.

In the ProSe, since the data is directly transmitted and receivedbetween the UEs, a mobile communication network or a wireless LANnetwork is not used, and data traffic can be offloaded. Thus, it ispossible to avoid the concentration of traffic in the LTE.

In the ProSe, the use of two methods as a direct communication pathbetween the UEs has been examined. The first method is a method(hereinafter, referred to as LTE Direct) of establishing the directcommunication path between the UEs using an LTE access technology, andthe second method is a method of establishing the direct communicationpath using a wireless LAN access technology.

In the LTE Direct, the UE uses a commercial frequency allocated in anLTE system of each mobile communication provider, and directly transmitsand receives data to and from the another UE by using an LTEcommunication system.

In the WLAN Direct, the UE uses a non-commercial frequency allocated inthe WLAN, and directly transmits and receives data to and from theanother UE.

In the ProSe, the necessity for the UE to detect the presence of thecommunication target UE in proximity by discovering a communicationtarget UE in order to transmit and receive data through the LTE Director the WLAN Direct is given as a service required condition.

In order to provide a service by the mobile communication provider,direct communication between the UEs is defined as being required for anapproval of the mobile communication provider at the time ofestablishing the direct communication path between the UEs.

As stated above, an object of the ProSe is to provide a service thatnotifies a certain UE of the presence of the proximity UE, and a servicethat provides communication through the direct communication pathbetween the UEs.

CITATION LIST Non Patent Literature

-   NPL 1: 3GPP TS23.401 Technical Specification Group Services and    System Aspects, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) enhancements for    Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) access.-   NPL 2: 3GPP TR22.803 Technical Specification Group Services and    System Aspects, Feasibility study for Proximity Services (ProSe).

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

However, since there is no means for realizing a notification method ofthe proximity terminal and an establishment method of the directcommunication path between the UEs, the UE starts the discovery atrandom when the UE as a communication source discovers the UE as thecommunication target irrespective of whether or not the communicationtarget UE is in proximity. When the communication target UE is not inproximity, the communication target UE is not discovered, and thecommunication source UE wastes power consumption.

When the UE starts the transmission and reception of data through theProSe, even though the communication target UE is in the proximity ofthe communication source UE, if the communication source UE requests thetransmission and reception of data through the LTE Direct and thecommunication target UE is not able to perform the transmission andreception of data through the LTE Direct, unnecessary discovery isstarted, and thus, the communication source UE wastes the powerconsumption.

When the UE starts the transmission and reception of data through theProSe, even though the communication target UE is in the proximity ofthe communication source UE, if the communication source UE requests thetransmission and reception of data through the WLAN Direct and thecommunication target UE is not able to perform the transmission andreception of data through the WLAN Direct, the unnecessary discovery isstarted, and thus, the communication source UE wastes the powerconsumption.

Since the mobile communication provider has no means for grantingpermission or non-permission for the establishment of the directcommunication path of the UE, the mobile communication provider is notable to provide a proximity communication service to a user.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,and it is an object of the present invention to provide a mobilecommunication system in which a communication source UE efficientlydiscovers a communication target UE and performs notification and amobile communication provider provides direct communication between theUEs to the UEs when data is transmitted and received in ProSe.

Solution to Problem

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided acommunication terminal of a mobile communication system that includes aserver device which detects a proximity terminal, a control device, aterminal device, and a proximity terminal device which is positioned inthe proximity of the terminal device. The communication terminal isadapted to: obtain information regarding the proximity terminal devicepositioned at a distance capable of performing the establishment of adirect communication path correlated with an application, andinformation regarding a direct communication path capable of beingestablished from the server device; transmit a request message whichrequests an approval for the establishment of the direct communicationpath capable of being established to the control device; receive aresponse message indicating that the establishment of the directcommunication path capable of being established is permitted; andestablish the direct communication path with the proximity terminaldevice based on the response message.

The communication terminal may be adapted to: retain a first APN whichpermits the establishment of the direct communication path, and a secondAPN which does not permit the establishment of the direct communicationpath; and transmit the request message which requests the approval forthe establishment of the direct communication path capable of beingestablished to the control device by adding an APN which permits theestablishment of the direct communication path to the request message.

The communication terminal may be adapted to: transmit a request messagewhich requests the establishment of a communication path to a controlstation by adding an APN which does not permit the establishment of adirect communication path to the request message; receive a responsemessage indicating that the establishment of the communication path ispermitted and the communication path is established from a controldevice; establish the communication path based on the response message;manage an application and a communication path in correlation with eachother; and select the direct communication path or the communicationpath to transmit application data using the selected communication pathbased on the correlation of the application with the communication path.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda control device of a mobile communication system that includes a serverdevice which detects a proximity terminal, the control device, aterminal device, and a proximity terminal device which is positioned inthe proximity of the terminal device. The control device is adapted to:manage identification information of the terminal device and permissioninformation for the establishment of a direct communication path incorrelation with each other: receive a request message which requests anapproval for the establishment of the direct communication path which istransmitted from the terminal device; and permit the establishment ofthe direct communication path of the terminal device based on thecorrelation of the identification information of the terminal devicewith the permission information for the establishment of the directcommunication path.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a base station device of a mobile communication system thatincludes a server device which detects a proximity terminal, a controldevice, a terminal device, and the base station device. The base stationdevice is adapted to: receive a notification including informationindicating whether or not the establishment of a direct communicationpath of the terminal device is permitted from the control device; andallocate a radio resource for transmitting and receiving data to andfrom the terminal device based on the permission information included inthe notification.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the aspect of the present invention, when the communicationsource UE performs the transmission and reception of data in the ProSe,it is possible to prevent the power consumption of the communicationsource UE from being inefficiently consumed by discovering thecommunication target UE without unnecessarily discovering thecommunication target UE.

It is possible to discover the communication target UE by giving thecondition for discovering the communication target UE to thecommunication source UE, and it is possible to realize the start of thetransmission and reception of data in the ProSe.

The mobile communication provider determines whether or not to permitthe establishment of the direct communication path of the UEs, and thus,it is possible to provide the direct communication between the UEs tothe UEs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram for describing the outline of a mobile communicationsystem 1 according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for describing the configuration of an IP mobilecommunication network.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing the functional configuration of a UEaccording to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configurationmanaged in a storage unit of the UE.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing the functional configuration of aProSe Server.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a communication path for eachapplication classification and Server contact list.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a proximity evaluation policyand a positional information management table.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing the functional configuration of aMME.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing permission information for theestablishment of a communication path.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing a position notification procedureaccording to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a case where positional information in theProSe Server is updated.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for describing a proximity detection unnecessaryprocedure according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a case where the Server contact list basedon the proximity detection unnecessary procedure is updated.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for describing a proximity detection procedureaccording to the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for describing a proximity detection processaccording to the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of proximity detection accordingto the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for describing a communication path establishmentprocedure based on a PDN connection request according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for describing a communication path establishmentprocedure based on a service request according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for describing a disconnection procedure ofstopping direct communication according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a UE contact list managed inthe UE.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a Server contact list managedin the ProSe Server.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an LTE(D) availability management table anda WLAN(D) availability management table managed in the UE.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a Server contact list including LTE(D)availability and WLAN(D) availability in the ProSe Server.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a case where the LTE(D) availability andthe WLAN(D) availability are updated in the Server contact list.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a UE action policy in the UE.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a proximity evaluation policyin the ProSe Server.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of the proximity detection.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example in which the ProSe Server isprovided in the IP mobile communication network.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments for implementing the present invention will bedescribed with reference to the drawings. For example, in the presentembodiment, embodiments of a mobile communication system when thepresent invention is applied will be described in detail with referenceto the drawings.

Hereinafter, LTE Direct is referred to as LTE(D), and WLAN Direct isreferred to as WLAN(D). Here, the LTE(D) implies that a directcommunication path is established between UEs by using an LTEcommunication method, and the WLAN(D) implies that a directcommunication path is established between the UEs by using a WLANcommunication method.

1. First Embodiment

First, a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied willbe described with reference to the drawings.

[1.1 Outline of Mobile Communication System]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for describing the outline of a mobile communicationsystem 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in this drawing,the mobile communication system 1 includes the UE (mobile stationdevice) 10, the UE (mobile station device) 10 a, and a PDN (Packet DataNetwork) 20, which are connected via an IP mobile communication network5.

A ProSe Server 90 is provided in the PDN 20. The ProSe Server 90 may beprovided in any position of the PDN 20. The UE 10 and the UE 10 a ensuresecure communication with the ProSe Server 90, and thus, the ProSeServer 90 can transmit and receive control information or data.

The UE 10 and the UE 10 a are in proximity to each other, and arepositioned in places where the UEs can discover each other in proximitydiscovery for starting the transmission and reception of data throughProSe.

For example, the IP mobile communication network 5 may be a networkwhich includes a core network and a wireless access network operated bya mobile communication provider, or may be a broadband network operatedby a fixed-line communication provider. The IP mobile communicationnetwork operated by the mobile communication provider will be describedbelow in detail.

The broadband network refers to an IP communication network operated bya communication provider that is connected through ADSL (AsymmetricDigital Subscriber Line) and provides high-speed communication using adigital line such as an optical fiber. The broadband network is notlimited to the above example, but may be a network that allows forwireless access using WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for MicrowaveAccess).

The UE 10 is a communication terminal that is connected using an accesssystem such as LTE or WLAN, and can be connected to the IP network bybeing connected using a built 3GPP LTE communication interface or WLANcommunication interface. As a specific example, the UE is a portabletelephone terminal or a smartphone, or the UE is a household electricalappliance, a tablet computer, or a personal computer, which has acommunication function.

The PDN 20 refers to a network that provides a network service fortransmitting and receiving data in packets, and is, for example, theinternet or an IMS.

The PDN 20 is connected to the IP access network by using a wired line.For example, the PDN is established by ADSL (Asymmetric DigitalSubscriber Line) or an optical fiber. The PDN is not limited to theabove example, but may be a wireless access network such as LTE (LongTerm Evolution), WLAN (Wireless LAN), or WiMAX (WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access).

[1.1.1 Configuration Example of IP Mobile Communication Network]

As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile communication system 1 includes the UE10, the IP mobile communication network 5, and the PDN 20 (Packet DataNetwork). The UE 10 a is a UE different from the UE 10 and has the sameconfiguration as that of the UE 10, and thus, the description thereofwill be omitted.

In addition to the UE 10 or the UE 10 a, a plurality of UEs may beconnected to the IP mobile communication network 5, but will be omittedfor the sake of simplification in the drawings. The IP mobilecommunication network 5 includes a core network 7 and the respectivewireless access networks. The detailed configuration of the core network7 is illustrated in (a) of FIG. 2.

The PDN 20 is a network that provides a network service for transmittingand receiving data in packets as described in FIG. 1, and is, forexample, the Internet or an IMS.

The core network 7 includes a PGW (access control device) 30 (PacketData Network Gateway), a SGW 35 (Serving Gateway), a MME 40 (MobileManagement Entity), a HSS 50 (Home Subscriber Server), an AAA 55(Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting), a PCRF 60 (Policy andCharging Rules Function), and an ePDG 65 (enhanced Packet Data Gateway).

The wireless access network may include a plurality of different accessnetworks. The respective access networks are connected to the corenetwork 7. The UE 10 can be wirelessly connected to the wireless accessnetwork.

The wireless access network may be implemented using an LTE accessnetwork (LTE AN 80) that can be connected in an LTE access system, or anaccess network that can be connected in a WLAN access system.

The access network that can be connected in the WLAN access system mayinclude a WLAN access network b (WLAN ANb 75) that is connected usingthe ePDG 65 as a connection device to the core network 7, and a WLANaccess network a (WLAN ANa 70) that is connected to the PGW 30, the PCRF60 and the AAA 55.

The devices have the same configurations as those of the devices of therelated art in the mobile communication system using an EPS, and thus,the detailed description thereof will be omitted, but the functionsthereof will be briefly described. The PGW 30 is connected to the PDN20, the SGW 35, the ePDG 65, the WLAN ANa, the PCRF 60 and the AAA 55,and serves as a gateway device between the core network 7 and the PDN 20to deliver user data.

The SGW 35 is connected to the PGW 30, the MME 40, and the LTE AN 80,and serves as a gateway device between the LTE AN 80 and the corenetwork 7 to deliver user data.

The MME 40 is connected to the SGW 35 and the LTE AN 80, and is anaccess control device that performs access control of the UE 10 via theLTE AN 80.

The HSS 50 is connected to the SGW 35 and the AAA 55, and managessubscriber information. The AAA 55 is connected to the PGW 30, the HSS50, the PCRF 60 and the WLAN ANa 70, and performs access control of theUE 10 which is connected via the WLAN ANa 70. The PCRF 60 is connectedto the PGW 30, the WLAN ANa 70 and the AAA 55, and manages QoS for thedelivery of user data.

The ePDG 65 is connected to the PGW 30 and the WLAN ANb 75, and servesas a gateway device between the core network 7 and the WLAN ANb 75 todeliver user data.

As shown in (b) of FIG. 2, each of the wireless access networks includesa device (for example, base station device or access point device) towhich the UE 10 is actually connected. Although various devicescompliant with the wireless access networks are considered as a deviceused for connection, the LTE AN 80 includes the eNB 45 in the presentembodiment. The eNB 45 is a wireless base station to which the UE 10 isconnected in the LTE access system, and the LTE AN 80 may include onewireless base station or a plurality of wireless base stations.

The WLAN ANa 70 includes a WLAN APa 72, and a GW 74 (Gateway). The WLANAP 72 is a wireless base station to which the UE 10 is connected in theWLAN access system, and the WLAN AN 70 may include one wireless basestation or a plurality of wireless base stations.

The GW 74 is a gateway device between the core network 7 and the WLANANa 70. The WLAN APa 72 and the GW 74 may be implemented by a singledevice.

As stated above, the gateway included in the WLAN ANa 70 can beconnected to the plurality of devices within the core network 7. Whenthe provider that operates the core network 7 and the provider thatoperates the WLAN ANa 70 are different from each other, such aconfiguration may be operated when a trust relationship is establishedby an operational contract or agreement between the providers. In otherwords, the WLAN APa 72 is an access network having reliability for theprovider that operates the core network 7.

The WLAN ANb 75 includes a WLAN APb 76. The WLAN AP 76 is a wirelessbase station to which the UE 10 is connected in the WLAN access system,and the WLAN AN 75 includes one wireless base station or a plurality ofwireless base stations.

As mentioned above, the WLAN ANb 75 is connected to the core network 7by using the ePDG 65 which is the device included in the core network 7as a gateway. The ePDG 65 has a security function for ensuring safety.

When the provider that operates the core network 7 and the provider thatoperates the WLAN ANa 70 are different from each other, such aconfiguration is operated when a trust relationship is not establishedby an operational contract or agreement between the providers.

In other words, the WLAN APa is an access network that does not havereliability for the provider that operates the core network 7, andprovides safety in the ePDG 65 included in the core network 7.

In the present specifications, the UE 10 being connected to therespective wireless access networks means that the UE is connected tothe base station devices or the access points included in the respectivewireless access networks, and data or signal to be transmitted andreceived passes through the base station device or the access point.

For example, the UE 10 being connected to the LTE AN 80 means that theUE 10 is connected via the eNB 45, and the UE being connected to theWLAN ANa 70 means that the UE is connected via the WLAN APa 72 and/orthe GW 74. The UE 10 being connected to the WLAN ANb 75 means that theUE 10 is connected to the WLAN APb 76.

[1.2 Device Configuration]

Next, the configurations of the respective devices will be simplydescribed with reference to the drawings.

[1.2.1 Configuration of UE]

FIG. 3 shows the functional configuration of the UE 10 according to thepresent embodiment. In the UE 10, an LTE interface 110, a WLAN interface120 and a storage unit 140 are connected to a control unit 100 through abus.

The control unit 100 is a functional unit for controlling the UE 10. Thecontrol unit 100 realizes various processes by reading various programsstored in the storage unit 140 and executing the read program.

The LTE interface 110 is a functional unit that transmits and receivesdata through wireless communication by using an LTE access method. Anexternal antenna 112 is connected to the LTE interface 110.

The UE 10 may perform communication by being connected to an LTE basestation through the LTE interface and being connected to the IP accessnetwork 5, or may perform communication by establishing a directcommunication path with another UE without using the LTE base station.

The WLAN interface 120 is a functional unit that transmits and receivesdata through wireless communication by using a wireless LAN accessmethod. An external antenna 122 is connected to the WLAN interface 120.

The UE 10 may perform communication by being connected to a WLAN basestation through a WLAN interface and being connected to the IP accessnetwork 5, or may perform communication by establishing a directcommunication path with another UE without using the WLAN base station.

The storage unit 140 is a functional unit that stores programs and datarequired for various operations of the UE 10. For example, the storageunit 140 is a semiconductor memory or a hard disk drive (HDD). An APPlist 142 is stored in the storage unit 140.

Applications that can be used by the UE 10 are stored in the APP list142. (a) of FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the APP list 142.In the APP list 142 of (a) of FIG. 4, the applications that can be usedby the UE 10 are represented as APP 1 to APP 3.

The application may be managed by being distinguished from a differentapplication according to data classification such as VoIP, videostreaming, video file, or text.

Alternatively, the application may be managed by distinguishingcommunication using middleware such as IMS as a single application.

Alternatively, an individual application such as Skype or LINE may bemanaged by being distinguished by an application name or an applicationID.

Alternatively, the application may be managed by being distinguished asa different application by using a combination thereof.

Here, the applications that can be used by the UE 10 may be installed inthe manufacturing step thereof, or may be installed by a user operation.

The UE 10 may be managed by correlating information of a communicationpath that can be used for each application with the application. Forexample, as shown in (a) of FIG. 4, categories (Cat. 1 to Cat. 3) areassociated with the applications (APP 1 to APP 3). The respectivecategories are respectively correlated with the communication paths thatcan be used by the applications.

In the example of (a) of FIG. 4, the Cat. 1 indicates that it ispossible to use the direct communication of the LTE(D), the Cat. 2indicates that it is possible to use the direct communication of theWLAN(D), and the Cat. 3 indicates that it is possible to use the directcommunication of the LTE(D) and the direct communication of the WLAN(D).In the case of the Cat. 3, the UE 10 can use the direct communication byselecting any one of the LTE(D) and the WLAN(D).

(b) of FIG. 4 is a diagram showing UE contact lists 144 for APPs. In (b)of FIG. 4, the contact list of the APP 1, the contact list of the APP 2,and the contact list of the APP 3 are managed. In the UE contact lists144 for APPs, the UEs capable of performing direct communication throughthe ProSe are managed. Alternatively, the UEs capable of performingcommunication using the respective APPs may be managed.

Proximity discovery unnecessary check boxes indicating that it is notable to perform the proximity discovery on UEs may be managed incorrelation with the UEs of the UE contact lists 144.

When the proximity discovery unnecessary check boxes are checked, theUEs of the UE contact lists 144 correlated with the checked check boxesmeans that it is not able to perform the proximity detection on the UE10. That is, the UE 10 may manage whether or not to allow the respectiveUEs of the UE contact lists 144 to perform the proximity detection. Theproximity discovery unnecessary check boxes may be updated throughconfiguration performed by a user.

Although it has been described in the present example that whether ornot the proximity discovery is necessary is correlated with therespective APPs of the UE 10, whether or not the proximity discovery isnecessary may be managed in correlation with the UE contact lists 144.In this case, whether or not the proximity discovery is necessary may beconfigured for all the UEs of the contact lists all at once.

Whether or not the proximity discovery is necessary may be managed incorrelation with the UE contact lists 144 of all the applications. Inthis case, whether or not the proximity discovery is necessary may beconfigured for all the UEs of all the contact lists all at once.

That is, when the UE of the UE contact list 144 detects a proximity UE,the UE 10 can exclude the UE 10 itself from a detection target based onthe proximity discovery unnecessary check boxes.

As shown in (b) of FIG. 4, the UEs capable of performing the directcommunication through the ProSe may be managed for each application, andthe fact that the proximity discovery is unnecessary may be managed foreach UE managed by the contact lists.

The UE 10 a to the UE 10 n shown in (b) of FIG. 4 are UEs different fromthe UE 10 and the configurations thereof are the same as that of the UE10, and thus, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[1.2.2 Configuration of ProSe Server]

FIG. 5 shows the functional configuration of the ProSe Server 90. In theProSe Server 90, an IP mobile communication network interface 910 and astorage unit 940 are connected to a control unit 900 through a bus.

The control unit 900 is a functional unit for controlling the UE 10. Thecontrol unit 900 realizes various processes by reading various programsstored in the storage unit 940 and executing the read program.

The IP mobile communication network interface 910 is a functional unitfor allowing the ProSe Server 90 to be connected to the IP mobilecommunication network 5.

The storage unit 940 is a functional unit that records programs and datarequired for various operations of the UE 10. For example, the storageunit 940 is a semiconductor memory, or a hard disk drive (HDD).

The storage unit 940 stores Server contact lists 942, a communicationpath management table 944, a positional information management table945, and a proximity evaluation policy 948.

The Server contact lists 942, the communication paths for applicationclassifications 944 and the positional information management table 946may be stored in an external device. For example, these items may bestored in the HSS 50, and may be referred to or updated by inquiring ofthe HSS 50 if necessary.

(a) of FIG. 6 shows an example in which the Server contact lists 942 aremanaged for applications that can be used by a certain UE in the exampleof the Server contact lists 942. In (a) of FIG. 6, contact lists in theAPP 1 to the APP 3 of the UE 10 are represented.

The application may be managed by being distinguished from a differentapplication according to data classification such as VoIP, videostreaming, video file, or text.

Alternatively, the application may be managed by distinguishingcommunication using middleware such as IMS as a single application.Alternatively, an individual application such as Skype or LINE may bemanaged by being distinguished by an application name or an applicationID. Alternatively, the application may be managed by being distinguishedas a different application by using a combination thereof.

In the contact lists of (a) of FIG. 6, UE lists (UE 10 a to UE 10 n)that can perform the direct communication with the UE 10 through theProSe may be managed by being correlated with proximity discoveryunnecessary check boxes.

The proximity discovery unnecessary check box being checked means thatthe UE 10 is not able to detect the UEs managed as the proximitydiscovery unnecessary, as proximity terminals. That is, the ProSe Server90 can manage whether or not to determine the respective UEs of theServer contact lists 942 as targets to be subjected to the proximitydetection for each application of the UE 10. The proximity discoveryunnecessary check boxes can be updated through configuration performedby the user.

Although it has been described in the present example that whether ornot to the proximity discovery is necessary is correlated with therespective UEs of the Server contact lists 942, whether or not to theproximity discovery is necessary may be managed in correlation with theServer contact lists 942. In this case, whether or not to the proximitydiscovery is necessary may be configured for all the UEs of the Servercontact lists 942 all at once.

Whether or not to the proximity discovery is necessary may be managed incorrelation with all the applications. In this case, whether or not tothe proximity discovery is necessary may be configured for all the UEsof all the Server contact lists 942 of the UE 10 all at once.

In the above description, although the contact list for each applicationof the UE 10 has been described, the ProSe Server 90 similarly storesthe ProSe Server contact lists 942 of the UEs (for example, UE 10 a toUE 10 n) different from the UE 10.

(b) of FIG. 6 shows an example of the communication path managementtable 944 for each application classification. In the communication pathmanagement table 944 for each application classification, theapplications are managed in correlation with the communications pathsthat can be used in the applications.

The application may be managed by being distinguished from a differentapplication according to data classification such as VoIP, videostreaming, video file, or text. Alternatively, the application may bemanaged by distinguishing communication using middleware such as IMS asa single application.

As the communication path that can be used in the application, thecommunication path such as the LTE(D), the WLAN(D) or another methodthat can be used is managed in correlation with each application.

In the example of (b) of FIG. 6, the categories (Cat. 1 to Cat. 3) thattransmit and receive data through the ProSe permitted by the mobilecommunication provider are managed for applications or services. TheCat. 1 indicates that it is possible to use the direct communication ofthe LTE(D), the Cat. 2 indicates that it is possible to use the directcommunication of the WLAN(D), and the Cat. 3 indicates that it ispossible to use the direct communication of the LTE(D) and the directcommunication of the WLAN(D). In the case of the Cat. 3, the UE 10 canselectively use any one of the LTE(D) and the WLAN(D).

For example, since the APP 1 is associated with the Cat. 1, the APP 1 issupported by the direct communication of the LTE(D). Since the APP 2 isassociated with the Cat. 2, the APP 2 is supported by the directcommunication of the WLAN(D). Since the APP 3 is associated with theCat. 3, the APP 3 is supported by the direct communication of the LTE(D)and the direct communication of the WLAN(D). When it is possible to usethe LTE(D) and the WLAN(D) as in the Cat. 3, the UE 10 can select theLTE(D) or the WLAN(D).

(a) of FIG. 7 shows an example of the positional information managementtable 946. In the positional information management table of (a) of FIG.7, positional information items of the UEs capable of performing thedirect communication through the ProSe are stored for the respectiveUEs. The ProSe Server 90 manages the positional information itemsnotified from the UEs in the positional information management table946.

In (a) of FIG. 7, the UE 10 is provided in a position A and a positiona, and the UE 10 a is provided in a position A and a position b. The UE10 b is provided in a position B, the UE 10 c is provided in a positionC, and the UE 10 zz is provided in a position x.

As shown in (a) of FIG. 7, the positional information managed for eachUE may be one or plural. The position A and the position a of the UE 10may be, for example, identification information of an LTE base stationand identification information of a WLAN base station to which the UE 10is connected. In addition, the positional information managed for eachUE may be positional information calculated by the GPS, or informationfor identifying an area. The positional information managed for each UEmay be a SSID, a BSSID, or a Realm used for connection in the WLAL, orother information.

Although the position for each UE is managed irrespective of the serviceand application in (a) of FIG. 7, the position for each UE may bemanaged for each application or each service. When the position for eachUE is managed for service, the position for each UE may be managed bybeing included in the contact list.

(b) of FIG. 7 shows an example of the proximity evaluation policy 948.The proximity evaluation policy 948 includes a rule for evaluatingwhether or not the UE 10 and another UE different from the UE 10 arepositioned in proximity based on the positional information managementtable 946. The ProSe Server 90 may evaluate whether or not thecommunication path (LTE(D) and/or WLAN(D)) of the direct communicationcan be used between a communication source UE and a communication targetUE based on the proximity evaluation policy 948.

(b) of FIG. 7 shows an example of the determined result and the contentof the policy through the proximity evaluation policy 948. The contentof the policy manages determination methods using an access point (AP)name, a service set identifier (SSID), a Realm (facility information),or an eNB ID (base station information of the mobile communicationprovider).

Here, the AP, SSID, and Realm are identifiers that can be obtained bythe UE when the UE is connected to the WLAN, are obtained in any one ofthe WLAN APa 72 and the WLAN APb 76, and can be notified to the ProSeServer 90. The ProSe Server 90 manages the positions based on thenotification of the positional information items of the UEs.

When the UE 10 is connected to the WLAN APa 72 or the WLAN APb 76, allof the AP, the SSID and the Realm may be obtained in some cases, or onlyany one of the AP, the SSID and the Realm may be obtained in some cases.

That is, the UE 10 may notify the ProSe Server 90 of all of the AP, theSSID and the Realm in some cases, or may notify the ProSe Server of onlyany one of the AP, the SSID and the Realm in some cases.

Even when the AP, the SSID and the Realm are obtained from the WLAN(WLAN APa 72 or WLAN APb 76), the UE 10 may not notify the ProSe Server90 of any one of the AP, the SSID and the Realm or some thereof in somecases.

The eNB ID is an identifier that can be obtained when the UE 10 isconnected to the eNB 45. When the eNB ID is newly obtained from the eNB45, the UE 10 notifies the ProSe Server 90 of the obtained eNB ID. Evenwhen the eNB ID is newly obtained, the UE 10 may not notify the ProSeServer 90 in some cases.

The contents of the respective policies will be described. The AP nameis an identification name for identifying each WLAN. Since the UEsconnected to the same AP are located in the area of the single WLAN andare in proximity to each other with a very high probability, these UEsare determined to use the WLAN(D).

The SSID is an identifier for identifying the WLAN. One SSID may beconfigured for only a single WLAN, or one SSID may be configured for aplurality of WLANs.

When one SSID is configured for the plurality of WLANs, since an officethat is not covered by one WLAN may be present, the UEs that arepositioned in the same SSID are in proximity to each other with a veryhigh probability but not as high as the UEs that are positioned in thesame AP are in proximity to each other, and thus, these UEs areevaluated to be able to use the WLAN(D).

The Realm is a name indicating facility information in the WLAN. Sincethe Realm is the name indicating the facility information, the UEs whichhave the same Realm and are connected to the WLAN are located in thefacility corresponding to the Realm. Thus, the UEs positioned in thesame Realm are in proximity to each other with a high probability butnot as high as the UEs positioned the same AP or the same SSID are inproximity to each other, and thus, these UEs are evaluated to be able touse the WLAN(D).

The eNB 45 is an LTE base station managed by the mobile communicationprovider. When the UE 10 is connected to the eNB 45 in order to transmitand receive data to and from the LTE base station, the UE can detect theeNB ID. The UE 10 located in the LTE base station is positioned within acircular area having a radius of 500 m. Since two UEs are located in thesame eNB, these UEs are evaluated to be able to use the LTE(D).

When there is not any correspondence, the UE is evaluated to be none. Inthis case, there are no usable direct communication paths, and the ProSeServer 90 may notify the UE 10 such that unnecessary proximity discoveryis not performed.

[1.2.3 Configuration of MME]

FIG. 8 shows the functional configuration of the MME 40. In the MME 40,an IP mobile communication network interface 410, and a storage unit 440are connected to a control unit 400 through a bus.

The control unit 400 is a functional unit for controlling the UE 10. Thecontrol unit 400 realizes various processes by reading various programsstored in the storage unit 440 and executing the read program.

The IP mobile communication network interface 410 is a functional unitfor allowing the MME 40 to be connected to the IP mobile communicationnetwork 5.

The storage unit 440 is a functional unit that stores programs and datarequired for various operations of the UE 10. For example, the storageunit 440 is a semiconductor memory or a hard disk drive (HDD).

Permission information 442 for communication path establishment ismanaged in the storage unit 440. The permission information 442 forcommunication path establishment may be stored in an external device,and may be stored in, for example, the HSS 50.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the permission information 442 forcommunication path establishment. In FIG. 9, the communication path tobe permitted is managed in correlation with an APN. Here, the APN isconnection destination information for allowing the UE 10 to transmitand receive data by being connected to the IP mobile communicationnetwork 5.

Here, the UE 10 can use the communication path including a connectiondestination associated with the APN by notifying the permissioninformation including the APN and being permitted from the MME 40 beforethe data is transmitted and received.

The APN is previously configured in the manufacturing step of the UE 10in some cases, or the APN needs to be separately configured in somecases when a SIM card is separately attached to the UE. The APN may bemanaged for each communication path, or may permit each communicationpath.

For example, a plurality of APNs may be managed for communication pathestablishment or services to be provided, and the APN includes an APNfor the communication path of the LTE(D) in the direct communicationpath may be managed for services, an APN correlated with permissioninformation for the establishment of the communication path of theWLAN(D) in the direct communication path, and an APN which performscommunication via the PGW 30 and is correlated with permissioninformation for the establishment of the communication path via a macro.

Here, the communication via a macro means that the UE 10 transmits andreceives data by using a communication path via a base station of amacro cell such as the eNB 45 using the LTE communication method. Inthis case, the UE 10 may request the establishment of PDN connectionwith the PGW 30 through the eNB 45 and the SGW 35, and may performcommunication using the established PDN connection.

The UE 10 may request the establishment of a radio bearer with the eNB45 and an EPS bearer with the SGW 35 and the PGW 45, and may perform thecommunication using the established bearer.

The base station is not limited to the macro base station of the macrocell by using the LTE communication method, but may be a home basestation or a femto base station of a cell smaller than the macro cell.

In the example of FIG. 9, the LTE(D) is permitted in an APN 1, theWLAN(D) is permitted in an APN 2, and the LTE(D) and the WLAN(D) arepermitted in an APN 3. In the APN 1, the APN 2 and the APN 3, theestablishment of the PDN connection between the UE 10 and the PGW 30 isnot permitted as the communication path by being connected to the corenetwork through the LTE base station or the WLAN base station.

Here, the permission information for the APN is not intended as beingpermitted only for these APNs, but a different communication path may bepermitted in an APN different from the APN 1 to the APN 3. The APN maybe managed so as not to permit the establishment of the directcommunication path of the LTE(D). Similarly, the APN may be managed soas not to permit the establishment of the direct communication path ofthe WLAN(D).

The MME 40 may determine whether or not to permit the establishment ofthe communication path based on the APN notified from the UE 10. Forexample, when the UE 10 notifies of the APN 1 which permits theestablishment of the communication path of the LTE(D) and requests theestablishment of the communication path of the LTE(D), it is possible todetermine whether or not to permit the establishment of thecommunication path of the LTE(D) based on the APN notified from the UE10 and the permission information 442 for communication pathestablishment.

As stated above, the MME 40 is a control device that determines whetheror not to permit the service provision and the establishment of thecommunication path of the UE, and controls the communication pathestablishment or the service establishment.

[1.3 Description of Process]

Next, embodiments of a specific process in the mobile communicationsystem will be described. In the present embodiment, the processincludes a position registration procedure performed by the UE 10, aproximity discovery procedure of starting the transmission and receptionof data, and a procedure of starting the transmission and reception ofdata.

In the following description, LTE Direct for establishing the directcommunication path between the UEs by using the LTE communication methodis referred to as LTE(D), and WLAN Direct for establishing the directcommunication path between the UEs by using the WLAN communicationmethod is referred to as WLAN(D). The function of the LTE(D) or thefunction of the WLAN(D) in the UE 10 or the UE 10 a is valid.

1.3.1 UE Position Notification Procedure

An example of the position registration procedure performed by the UE 10will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The UE 10 detects its ownpositional information, and notifies the ProSe Server 90 of the detectedposition. The positional information may be notified using a case wherenew positional information is detected or a case where new positionalinformation is obtained as its trigger, or the positional informationmay be notified using the start of the application or the start of theUE as its trigger.

Hereinafter, an example in which the UE 10 obtains new positionalinformation along with its own movement will be described. Although theUE 10 will be described in the following description, the same proceduremay be used in the UE 10 a.

Initially, the UE 10 obtains new positional information along with itsown movement (S1002). Here, new connection information is, for example,information for identifying the WLAN base station, and may be an accesspoint (AP) name.

An AP may be connected to any one of the WLAN APa 72 and the WLAN APb76. The new positional information may be obtained when the power of theUE 10 is newly turned on even though this UE 10 does not move, or may beobtained when this UE is connected to a new AP due to the ON of the WLANfunction.

The new connection information may be obtained by detecting that theSSID or the Realm is obtained from the WLAN (WLAN APa 72 or WLAN APb 76)in addition to detecting that the new AP name is obtained. The newpositional information may be obtained by detecting that the eNB IDobtained from the eNB 45 or TAI obtained from the MME 40 are obtained.In this case, a plurality of new connection information items may beobtained.

When GPS information is obtained, the UE 10 may notify the ProSe Server90 of the positional information. When the GPS information is obtained,the UE 10 does not necessarily notify the ProSe Server 90 of thepositional information, but may notify the ProSe Server 90 of thepositional information every a predetermined period of time.

The UE 10 that determines to notify of the connection informationdiscovers the ProSe Server 90, and ensures secure communication with theProSe Server 90 (S1004). The UE 10 previously retains information forbeing connected to the ProSe Server 90. The UE 10 may be connected tothe ProSe Server 90 via the eNB 45 or the WLAN (WLAN APa 72 or WLAN APb76).

Here, for example, the secure communication being ensured means thatcommunication is performed after connection authentication is performedby, for example, the ProSe Server 90 or a device within another corenetwork, or a high-security communication path using IPSec isestablished and communication is performed through the establishedcommunication path. Another method for increasing security may be used.

Subsequently, the UE 10 that ensures the secure communication with theProSe Server 90 notifies the ProSe Server of positional information ofthe UE 10 (S1006). Here, the positional information notified from the UE10 may be the AP name obtained from the WLAN (WLAN APa 72 or WLAN APb76), or may be the SSID or the Realm name. The positional informationmay be the eNB ID obtained from the eNB 45, or may be the TAI obtainedfrom the MME 40. Positional information obtained using the GPS may benotified. When the plurality of new connection information items isobtained, the plurality of new connection items may be notified.

The ProSe Server 90 that is notified of the positional information ofthe UE 10 receives the positional information of the UE 10 from the UE10, and updates the positional information of the UE (S1008). In thiscase, when the plurality of positional information items (anycombinations of AP, SSID. Realm, eNB ID, TAI and GPS may be used) isreceived from the UE 10, the ProSe Server 90 may update the plurality ofpositional information items of the UE 90.

In the present embodiment, the positional information is updated withinthe ProSe Server 90. However, when the positional information is managedin a device different from the ProSe Server 90, the positionalinformation may be updated in this device, and this device may be, forexample, the HSS 50 managed by the mobile communication provider.

FIG. 11 shows examples of the positional information management table946 before and after the update is performed. Here, the UE 10 notifiesthe ProSe Server of AP m as the positional information. The AP m may bean AP name which is identification information of the WLAN base station.

A position AP n indicates that the AP name is AP n, and a position eNB pindicates that the eNB ID is eNB p. The eNB p may be an eNB ID which isidentification information of the LTE base station. A position SSID mindicates that the SSID is SSID m. A position Realm n indicates that theRealm name is Realm n.

In the positional information management table 946 before the update isperformed, the UE 10 is managed as being located in the position AP nand the position eNB p. The ProSe Server 90 changes the position AP n ofthe UE 10 to the position AP m based on the positional information fromthe UE 10.

When the positional information from the UE 10 is not received, theProSe Server 90 determines that there are no proximity UEs capable ofperforming the transmission and reception of data through the ProSe.Here, the transmission and reception of data through the ProSe means thetransmission and reception of data in the direct communication pathbetween the UEs based on the LTE(D) or the WLAN(D).

[1.3.2 Proximity Discovery Unnecessary Procedure]

Next, a proximity discovery unnecessary procedure will be described. Theproximity discovery unnecessary procedure is performed in order for acertain UE not to be detected as a proximity UE by another UE. Here, aprocedure example in which the UE 10 c different from the UE 10 is notdetected as a proximity UE of the UE 10 by the UE 10 will be described.

The proximity discovery unnecessary procedure will be described withreference to FIG. 12. Initially, the UE 10 c detects the proximitydiscovery unnecessary (S1202). Here, for example, the proximitydiscovery unnecessary may be configured such that the UE 10 c is notdetected by a specific UE through a terminal operation of the user, andmay be detected based on the configuration.

The UE 10 that detects the proximity discovery unnecessary ensures thesecure communication with the ProSe Server 90 (S1204). When securecommunication means is already ensured, the UE 10 previously obtainsinformation indicating the position of the ProSe Server 90, and thus, itis possible to detect the ProSe Server 90.

Here, for example, the secure communication being obtained means thatcommunication is performed after connection authentication is performedby the ProSe Server 90 or a device within another core network, or ahigh-security communication path using IPSec is established andcommunication is performed through the established communication path.Another method for increasing security may be used.

Thereafter, the UE 10 c transmits a proximity discovery unnecessarynotification to the ProSe Server 90 (S1206). When another UE differentfrom the UE 10 c requests the detection of proximity UEs from the ProSeServer, the UE 10 c requests the excluding of the UE 10 c from aproximity detection target from the ProSe Server 90 by transmitting theproximity discovery unnecessary notification. In other words, the UE 10c refuses to be detected as the proximity terminal.

Here, the UE 10 c may transmit a notification including informationindicating the proximity discovery unnecessary, a specific application,and information for identifying a specific UE.

In the following description, an example in which the UE 10 c transmitsa notification including the information indicating the proximitydiscovery unnecessary, the APP 1 and the UE 10 will be described.

The ProSe Server 90 receives the proximity discovery unnecessarynotification from the UE 10 c, and performs a proximity discoveryunnecessary notifying process based on the notified information (S1208).The ProSe Server 90 updates the contact lists such that the UE 10 c isnot discovered by another UE in the proximity discovery unnecessarynotifying process.

FIG. 13 shows an example of the update in the proximity discoveryunnecessary notifying process. Here, an example in which the informationindicating the proximity discovery unnecessary, the APP 1 and the UE 10are received through the notification of the UE 10 c will be described.

The ProSe Server 90 specifies the Server contact list 942 correlatedwith the APP 1 of the UE 10 based on the received information. As shownin FIG. 13, the update is performed by checking the proximity discoveryunnecessary check box of the UE 10 c in a non-update state in which theproximity discovery unnecessary check box of the UE 10 c is not checked.

Thus, when the UE 10 requests the detection of whether or not there is aproximity terminal that performs communication in the APP 1 from theProSe Server 90, the ProSe Server 90 detects a proximity terminal byexcluding the UE 10 c from the target. That is, even though the UE 10 cis positioned in the proximity of the UE 10, the UE 10 c is not detectedas the proximity terminal by the ProSe Server 90.

When another UE different from the UE 10 c requests the detection of theproximity UE from the ProSe Server 90, the UE 10 c may request theincluding of the UE 10 c in a proximity detection target from the ProSeServer 90 by transmitting the proximity discovery unnecessarynotification. In other words, the UE 10 c cancels the state in which theUE 10 c refuses to be detected as the proximity terminal, and changes toa state in which the UE 10 c permits to be detected as the proximityterminal.

Here, the UE 10 c may transmit a notification including informationindicating that the proximity discovery is permitted, a specificapplication, and information for identifying a specific UE.

The ProSe Server 90 receives the notification from the UE 10 c,specifies the Server contact list 942 in the same process as the processof configuring the proximity discovery necessary, and updates the Servercontact list such that the UE 10 c is included in the proximitydiscovery target by un-checking the check box based on the receivedinformation.

As stated above, UEs other than the UE 10 c may request the excluding ofthe other UEs from the proximity discovery target, similarly to the UE10 c. Accordingly, the UE 10 that requests the detection of theproximity UE requests the notification of information regarding theproximity UE among the UEs which do not want to be subjected to theproximity discovery.

When the information regarding the proximity UE is requested from acertain UE, the ProSe Server 90 detects the proximity UE among the UEswhich do not want to be subjected to the proximity discovery, andprovides the information regarding the proximity UE.

Although it has been described in the present example that the UE 10 ctransmits the notification including the information indicating theproximity discovery unnecessary, the APP 1 and the information foridentifying the UE 10, the UE 10 c may transmit a notification includinginformation the proximity discovery unnecessary and the APP 1.

In this case, the UE 10 c does not refuse to be subjected to theproximity discovery by a specific UE, but the Server contact list 942correlated with the APP 1 is configured such that the UE 10 c is notsubjected to the proximity discovery by all the UEs.

Specifically, the ProSe Server 90 detects whether or not the UE 10 c isincluded in the Server contact list 90 correlated with the APP 1 of allthe UEs, and updates the Server contact list such that the UE 10 c isnot subjected to the proximity discovery by checking the check boxcorrelated with the UE 10 c.

The UE 10 c may transmit a notification including information indicatingthe proximity discovery unnecessary and information for identifying theUE 10.

In this case, the Server contact lists 942 for the all the applicationscorrelated with the UE 10 is configured such that the UE 10 c is notsubjected to the proximity discovery.

Specifically, all the Server contact lists 942 of the UE 10 are updatedsuch that the proximity discovery is not performed by detecting whetheror not the UE 10 c is listed and by checking the check box correlatedwith the UE 10 c.

[1.3.3 Proximity Detection Procedure]

A proximity evaluation process for allowing the ProSe Server 90 to startthe transmission and reception of data will be described. The proximityevaluation procedure by determining to start the transmission andreception of data will be described with reference to FIG. 14.

The ProSe Server 90 may start the proximity evaluation procedure basedon the notification of the positional information of the UE, or maystart the proximity evaluation procedure based on the notification ofthe proximity discovery unnecessary. Alternatively, the ProSe Server maystart the proximity evaluation procedure at any timing. The result (thenotification of the contact list of S1412) of the proximity detection isnotified to the UE 10, but may be similarly used in the UE 10 a.

First, the ProSe Server 90 shown in FIG. 14 initially performs aproximity evaluation process in the proximity evaluation procedure(S1410). In the proximity evaluation process, it is evaluated whether ornot the UE within the contact list 942 of the UE 10 and the UE 10 thattransmits the positional information in a UE position registrationprocedure are positioned in proximity to each other. It may be evaluatedwhether or not the direct communication based on the LTE(D) or theWLAN(D) is performed.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a procedure of the proximity evaluationprocess. In the present example, an example in which the UE 10 performsthe position registration, the ProSe Server 90 performs the proximityevaluation process on the UE 10 after the position registrationprocedure is completed will be described.

Initially, the direct communication path that can be used by the UE 10is detected (S1502). Here, in order to detect the direct communicationpath that can be used by the UE 10, the ProSe Server 90 may detect theapplication based on the communication path management table 944 foreach application classification. The ProSe Server 90 may detect from thedirect communication path that can be used by the UE 10 based on thecommunication path management table 944 for each applicationclassification. The ProSe Server may detect all the applications of thecontact lists of the UE 10 managed in the Server contact list 942.Alternatively, the UE 10 may notify the ProSe Server 90 of the APPrequested for the detection, and the ProSe Server 90 may detect thedirect communication path that can be used for the APP 1.

Thus, the ProSe Server 90 can detect that the communication path basedon the LTE(D) can be used for the APP 1, as the direct communicationpath that can be used by the UE 10. The ProSe Server can detect that thecommunication path based on the WLAN(D) can be used for the APP 2. TheProSe Server can detect that the communication path based on the LTE(D)or the communication path based on the WLAN(D) can be used for the APP3.

Subsequently, the proximity UE of the UE 10 is detected based on thedirect communication path that can be used by the UE 10 detected inS1502 (S1504). Here, in order to detect the UE as the communicationpartner that can communicate with the UE, the ProSe Server 90 may detectthe UE by using the proximity evaluation policy 948, the positionalinformation management table 946 and the Server contact list 942 of theUE 10.

For example, it may be determined whether or not the UE is located inproximity by extracting the UE 10, the positional information of the UEretained in the Server contact list 942 of the APP 1 of the UE 10, andthe positional information of the UE 10 from the positional informationmanagement table 942 correlated with each UE and comparing the twoextracted positional information items.

For example, as shown in (b) of FIG. 7, the determination method basedon the positional information may be performed by determining that twoUEs are located in proximity enough to perform the communication basedon the WLAN(D) since the two UEs are located in the same WLAN basestation. The determination method may be performed by determining thattwo UEs are located in proximity enough to perform the communicationbased on the WLAN(D) since the two UEs are located in the WLAN basestations having the same SSID. The determination method may be performedby determining that two UEs are located in proximity enough to performthe communication based on the WLAN(D) since the two UEs are located inthe WLAN base stations having the same Realm. The determination methodmay determine that two UEs are located in proximity enough to performthe communication based on the LTE(D) since the two UEs are located inthe same LTE base station (eNB). When there is not any correspondencecase, the determination method may be performed by determining that twoUEs are separated at a distance enough to perform neither thecommunication based on the WLAN(D) nor the communication based on theLTE(D) (none).

As the example of the determination method, it has been described in thepresent example that the determination is performed using theinformation of the AP name, the SSID, the Realm or the eNB, but thedetermination method is not limited thereto. It may be detected that theUEs are in proximity using the GPS information, and it may be determinewhether or not the communication based on the LTE(D) can be performed orthe communication based on the WLAN(D) can be performed.

A specific example in which the ProSe Server 90 detects the proximity UEof the UE 10 (S1504) will be described. When the UE 10 requests thedetection of the proximity UE capable of performing the communication inthe APP 1, the ProSe Server detects the direct communication path thatcan be used by the UE 10 based on the request from the UE 10 (S1502). Asdescribed above, detection means detects that the communication can beperformed based on the LTE(D) in the APP 1 based on the detected directcommunication path.

The UE located in proximity enough to perform the communication based onthe detected usable communication path (LTE(D)) is extracted based onthe Server contact list 942, the positional information management table946 and the proximity evaluation policy 948. Specifically, the UE usingthe same LTE base station (eNB) as the positional information may bedetected.

The detection of whether or not the UE notified as the proximitydiscovery unnecessary on the Server contact list 942 to the ProSe Serveris in proximity is not performed. For example, in the state in which thecontact list of the APP 1 in FIG. 13 is updated, the proximity discoveryunnecessary checkbox of the UE 10 c is checked. Thus, the detection ofwhether or not the UE 10 c is in the proximity of the UE 10 is notperformed.

In this case, since the communication path that can be used in the APP 1is the communication based on the LTE(D), it is not necessary todetermine whether or not there is the UE in proximity enough to performthe communication based on the WLAN(D).

In so doing, the ProSe Server 90 can detect that the communication paththat can be used by the UE 10 in the APP 1 is the communication based onthe LTE(D) and can detect the UE in proximity enough to perform thecommunication based on the LTE(D). The detected UE may be plural innumber.

Next, a specific example in which the ProSe Server 90 detects theproximity UE of the UE 10 when the UE 10 requests the detection of theproximity terminal capable of performing the communication in the APP 2(S1504) will be described. The ProSe Server detects the directcommunication path that can be used by the UE based on the request fromthe UE 10 (S1502). As described above, detection means detects that itis possible to perform the communication based on the WLAN(D) in the APP2 based on the detected direct communication path.

The UE in proximity enough to perform the communication based on thedetected usable communication path (WLAN(D)) is extracted based on theServer contact list 942, the positional information management table 946and the proximity evaluation policy 948. Specifically, the UE using thesame WLAN base station as the positional information may be detected.

The detection of whether or not the UE notified as the proximitydiscovery unnecessary on the Server contact list 942 to the ProSe Server90 is in proximity is not performed.

In this case, since the communication path that can be used in the APP 2is the communication based on the WLAN(D), it is not necessary todetermine whether or not there is the UE in proximity enough to performthe communication based on the LTE(D).

In so doing, the ProSe Server 90 can detect that the communication pathwhich can be used by the UE 10 in the APP 2 is the communication basedon the WLAN(D), and can detect the UE in proximity enough to perform thecommunication based on the WLAN(D). The detected UE may be plural innumber.

Next, a specific example in which the ProSe Server 90 detects theproximity UE of the UE 10 when the UE 10 requests the detection of theproximity UE capable of performing the communication in the APP 3(S1504) will be described. The ProSe Server 90 detects the directcommunication path that can be used by the UE based on the request fromthe UE 10 (S1502). As described above, detection means detects that thecommunication can be performed based on the LTE(D) in the APP 3 and thecommunication can be performed based on the WLAN(D) based on thedetected direct communication path.

The UE in proximity enough to perform the communication based on thedetected usable communication path is extracted based on the Servercontact list 942, the positional information management table 946 andthe proximity evaluation policy 948.

When the usable communication path is plural in number, for example,when the communication based on the LTE(D) is performed and thecommunication based on the WLAN(D) is performed, it is determinedwhether or not the respective UEs of the Server contact list 942 are inproximity enough to perform the communication based on the LTE(D), theseUEs are in proximity enough to perform the communication based on theWLAN(D), these UEs in proximity enough to perform the communicationbased on the communication in both the LTE(D) and the WLAN(D), or theseUEs are separated at a distance enough not to perform the communicationin both the LTE(D) and the WLAN(D). As described above, determinationmeans may perform the detection based on the positional information ofthe UEs.

The detection of whether or not the UE notified as the proximitydiscovery unnecessary on the Server contact list 942 to the ProSe Server90 is in proximity is not performed. For example, in the state in whichthe contact list of the APP 1 in FIG. 13 is updated, the proximitydiscovery unnecessary check box of the UE 10 c is checked. For thisreason, it is not detected whether or not the UE 10 c is in theproximity of the UE 10.

In so doing, the ProSe Server 90 can detect the proximity UEcommunicating with the UE 10 through the APP 3, and the communicationpath that can be used for the proximity UE. The detected UE may beplural in number. The usable communication path detected based on thepositional information may be different for each proximity UE.

For example, as shown in (c) of FIG. 16, only the communication based onthe LTE(D) can be used for the UE 10 b, only the communication based onthe WLAN(D) can be used for the UE 10 d, and both the communicationbased on both the LTE(D) and the WLAN(D) can be used for the UE 10 a.

Referring back to FIG. 14, the ProSe Server 90 that completes theevaluation within the Server contact list 942 of the UE 10 in S1410notifies the UE 10 of the proximity UE and the information regarding theusable communication path (S1412). For example, as shown in FIG. 16, theinformation regarding the proximity UE and the usable communication pathcorrelated with the proximity UE are transmitted to the UE 10.

As shown in (a), (b) and (c) of FIG. 16, the notification informationtransmitted to the UE 10 may be notified for each application. Here, inthe example of FIG. 16, (a) of FIG. 16 shows the notificationinformation regarding the APP 1, (b) of FIG. 16 shows the notificationinformation regarding the APP 2, and (c) of FIG. 16 shows thenotification information regarding the APP 3.

Through the above procedure, the UE 10 can detect the UE capable ofusing the direct communication (LTE(D) or WLAN(D)) from the Servercontact list 942, and can determine to perform the proximity discovery.

The proximity detection in the ProSe Server 90 can be performed based onthe request for the detection of the proximity terminal of the UE 10,and can obtain the detection result as the UE 10 a. Means for requestingthe detection of the proximity terminal of the UE 10 may perform therequest for the detection of the proximity terminal by requesting theregistration of the positional information, or means for transmitting amessage indicating the request for the detection of the proximityterminal to the ProSe Server 90, other than the request for theregistration of the positional information may be used.

As stated above, since the procedure of establishing the directcommunication path is performed by detecting that there is the UE inproximity enough to perform the direct communication, the procedure ofestablishing the direct communication path that is unnecessarilyperformed even though it is not able to perform the direct communicationwith the UE is not performed. Thus, it is possible to suppress anunnecessary procedure, an unnecessary terminal discovery process, and aresource regarding terminal discovery.

[1.3.4 Communication Path Establishment Procedure] [1.3.4.1Communication Path Establishment Procedure 1]

Next, a procedure until the transmission and reception of data isstarted through the direct communication after the proximity discoveryis performed on the UE capable of performing the direct communicationwill be described. In the following description, the UE 10 detects theUE positioned in proximity enough to perform the communication by usingthe APP 1 as already described above. The information regarding theusable direct communication path is obtained.

In the present example, a procedure starting from in the state in whichthe UE 10 detects the UE 10 a as the UE positioned in proximity and itis detected the usable communication path is the communication pathbased on the LTE(D) based on the notification from the ProSe Server 90will be described with reference to FIG. 17.

The UE 10 determines to start the transmission and reception of data toand from the UE 10 c through the ProSe, his determination may beperformed by determining to start the communication by selecting the UE10 a among the proximity terminals by the user of the UE 10, based onthe information of the proximity notified from the ProSe Server 90.

Before the communication path based on the LTE(D) with the UE 10 a isestablished, the UE 10 may start the discovery of the communicationtarget UE (S1703 a). The discovery of the UE is performed by actuallychecking whether or not the communication path based on the LTE(D) isestablished with the UE 10 a.

Even though the ProSe Server 90 notifies that the UE 10 is in proximityenough to establish the communication path based on the LTE(D) with theUE 10 a, since it is not apparent that the communication path isactually established, the UE is discovered.

Specifically, the discovery of the proximity terminal is performed bytransmitting broadcast information based on the frequency used in theLTE wireless access method to a proximity area, and the proximityterminal sends a response to the discovery of the proximity terminal.Among the responses from the proximity terminals which are received bythe UE 10, it may be detected that UE 10 a is in proximity by detectingthe response from the UE 10 a.

The UE 10 establishes the communication path based on the LTE(D) withthe UE 10 a based on the approval of the communication provider. As themethod of requesting the approval of the communication provider, a PDNconnectivity request to the MME 40 may be transmitted based on a UErequested PDN connectivity procedure requested from the UE (S1704).Here, the UE 10 transmits the PDN connectivity request including theAPN. The PDN connectivity request is a request transmitted from the UE10 to the MME 40 in order to establish the PDN connection.

The UE 10 retains the APN correlated with the usable directcommunication path, and selects the APN correlated with the LTE(D) whenthe direct communication path that can be used in the APP 1 is theLTE(D) and the UE 10 requests the approval for the establishment of thedirect communication path based on the LTE(D).

The APN managed in correlation with the direct communication path may beplural in number. For example, a plurality of APNs such as an APN 1correlated with the LTE(D), an APN 2 correlated with the WLAN(D) and anAPN 3 correlated with the plurality of direct communication paths suchas the LTE(D) and the WLAN(D) may be managed.

This means that the APN is managed in correlation with the permissioninformation for the establishment of the direct communication path, andfor example, the APN is managed such that the LTE(D) is permitted in theAPN 1, the WLAN(D) is permitted in the APN 2, and the LTE(D) and theWLAN(D) are permitted in the APN 3.

The UE 10 may retain an APN other than the APN which permits theestablishment of the direct communication path, such as an APN 4 whichdoes not permit the establishment of the direct communication path.

In order to request the permission for the establishment of the directcommunication path of the LTE(D) from the MME 40, the UE 10 selects theAPN which permits the LTE(D) among the plurality of APNs, and adds theselected APN to the PDN connectivity request.

Although it has been described in the above example that the UE 10 canselect the APN 1 or the APN 3, the UE may manage the application incorrelation with the APN such that the APN 1 is used for the APP 1, andmay select the APN based on the correlation information. Alternatively,the APN may be arbitrarily selected.

In the discovery of the communication target UE, the resolution of theIP address of the UE 10 a may be performed. In order to perform theresolution of the IP address, the IP address of the UE 10 a may besimultaneously included when the UE 10 receives a response from the UE10 a.

When the PDN connectivity request is transmitted to the MME 40 (S1704),the UE 10 adds the APN correlated with the usable communication path inthe UE 10 a notified in the Server contact list 942 to the PDNconnectivity request. Here, since the direct communication of the LTE(D)is used, the APN 1 is included.

The WLAN(D) may be established in any type of application. When both theLTE(D) and the WLAN(D) can be used, the UE 10 may arbitrarily determineany one of the LTE(D) and the WLAN(D), or may determine any one of theLTE(D) and the WLAN(D) by using the notification from the network.

Subsequently, the MME 40 receives the PDN connectivity requesttransmitted from the UE 10, and checks the APN included in the PDNconnection. The checking of the APN is performed by determining that thereceived APN is an APN which permits the LTE(D) based on the permissioninformation 442 for the communication path establishment. Thus, the MME40 detects that the UE 10 requests the permission for the establishmentof the direct communication path based on the LTE(D).

The MME 40 manages the APN that can be used for each UE, and determineswhether or not the UE 10 can use the APN notified from the UE 10. Whenit is possible to use the notified APN, the MME permits theestablishment of the communication path correlated with theestablishment of the direct communication path correlated with the APNand the request for the proximity detection, and when it is not able touse the notified APN, the MME does not permit the communication pathestablishment.

Through the above procedure, the MME 40 can determine to permit theestablishment of and the direct communication path based on the LTE(D)of the UE 10.

When the MME 40 determines to permit the communication pathestablishment, the MME 40 transmits a bearer configuration request/PDNconnection permission notification to the eNB 45 (S1714), and the eNB 45transmits the RRC connection reconfiguration notification to the UE 10(S1716). Thus, the MME 40 notifies the UE 10 that it is determined topermit the establishment of the direct communication path based on theLTE(D).

Here, a flag such as ProSe Indicator which explicitly indicates that theestablishment of the PDN connection between the UE and the PGW of therelated art and the establishment of the direct communication path ispermitted may be included in the bearer configuration request/PDNconnection permission notification and the RRC connectionreconfiguration notification.

The MME 40 may determine such that the session executed in the SGW 35and the PGW 30 is not generated based on the APN. The MME may determinesuch that a generation procedure of the session executed in the SGW 35and the PGW 30 is not performed by detecting that the establishment ofthe direct communication path is requested based on the ProSe Indicator.

When it is determined not to generate the session, a session generationrequest (S1706) transmitted from the MME 40 to the SGW 35, a sessiongeneration request (S1708) transmitted from the SGW 35 to the PGW 30, asession generation response (S1710) transmitted from the PGW 30 to theSGW 35, and a session generation response (S1712) transmitted from theSGW 35 to the MME 40 as responses to these requests may not betransmitted and received.

As stated above, the MME 40 may generate the session within the corenetwork depending on the APN that grants the permission, that is, mayselect whether or not to establish the communication path such as thePDN connection.

The eNB 45 may determine whether or not to establish the wirelesscommunication path for transmitting and receiving data with the UE 10 byincluding the ProSe Indicator.

For example, the eNB may detect that the establishment requested fromthe UE 10 is the direct communication path between the UEs, and may notestablish the wireless communication path for transmitting and receivingdata including the allocation of the radio resource between the eNB 45and the UE 10 based on this detection.

The eNB may detect that the establishment requested from the UE 10 isnot the direct communication path between the UEs, and may establish thewireless communication path for transmitting and receiving dataincluding the allocation of the radio resource between the eNB 45 andthe UE 10 based on this detection.

Thereafter, the UE 10 receives the RRC connection reconfigurationnotification from the eNB 45, and detects that the establishment of thecommunication path based on the LTE(D) is permitted. The detection maybe performed by detecting that the ProSe Indicator is included in thenotification.

The MME 40 may notify the UE 10 of the bearer configuration request/PDNconnection permission notification and the RRC connectionreconfiguration notification including the information regarding thebearer ID or the IP address used by the UE 10 in order to perform thecommunication using the direct communication path or a frequency usedfor the direct communication.

Although it has been described that the discovery of the communicationtarget UE is started before the PDN connection request is transmitted(S1703 a), the discovery may be started after the RRC connectionreconfiguration notification is received (S1703 b).

The PDN connection request PDN connection request UE 10 receives the RRCconnection reconfiguration notification, and establishes the directcommunication path with the UE 10 a when the communication pathestablishment is permitted by the MME 40 (S1717). When the communicationpath establishment is not permitted, the establishment of the directcommunication path may not be performed.

The UE 10 may determine whether or not to establish the directcommunication path based on the direct communication path permitted bythe MME 40, and the communication path correlated with the APP.Alternatively, the UE 10 may determine whether or not to establish thedirect communication path based on any one of the direct communicationpath permitted by the MME 40, and the information regarding thecommunication path correlated with the APP.

For example, when the direct communication path correlated with the APP1 is the LTE(D) and the APN permitted by the MME permits theestablishment of both the LTE(D) and the WLAN(D), since the LTE(D) iscorrelated with the APP 1 and the LTE(D) is permitted by the APN, the UE10 determines to establish the direct communication path of the LTE(D).

In the establishment procedure of the direct communication path based onthe LTE(D) with the UE 10 a, the UE 10 may establish the directcommunication path using the frequency included in the informationregarding the establishment of the direct communication path obtainedfrom the RRC connection reconfiguration notification, or may establishthe direct communication path by previously allocating a frequency to beused.

Here, the IP address or the bearer ID included in the informationregarding the establishment of the direct communication path obtainedfrom the RRC connection reconfiguration notification may be notified tothe UE 10 a, the notified IP address or bearer ID may be managed incorrelation with the direct communication path, and the correlated IPaddress or bearer ID may be used at the time of performing the directcommunication.

At the time of establishing the direct communication path with the UE 10a, any one of the UE 10 and the UE 10 a may allocate the IP address orthe bearer ID and may notify the other one of the IP address or bearerID, and the other one may obtain the notified IP address or bearer ID,may manage the obtained IP address or bearer ID in correlation with thedirect communication path, and may use the IP address or bearer ID atthe time of performing the direct communication.

As discussed above, the UE 10 and the UE 10 a can start thecommunication by establishing the direct communication path. When thecommunication path based on the LTE(D) is established for thecommunication of the APP 1, the UE 10 selects the direct communicationpath in order to transmit communication data of the APP 1, and transmitsthe communication data of the APP 4.

More specifically, at the time of transmitting user data of the APN 1,the correlated IP address may be selected, and the communication may beperformed. The correlated bearer ID may be selected, the communicationpath may be specified, and the communication may be performed.

As for another application different from the APP 1, the communicationis performed by establishing the connection with the PGW and selecting acommunication path different from the direct communication path.

The UE 10 in which the establishment of the communication path of theLTE(D) with the UE 10 a is completed may transmit a RRC reconfigurationcompletion notification to the eNB 45 (S1718). The eNB 45 may transmitthe bearer configuration response to the MME 40 by checking that the UE10 and the UE 10 a establish the direct communication path of the LTE(D)(S1720).

As mentioned above, the UE 10 may notify the MME 40 that theestablishment of the direct communication path is completed bytransmitting the RRC reconfiguration completion notification and thebearer configuration response.

The RRC reconfiguration completion notification and the bearerconfiguration response may not be transmitted. For example, the UE 10may determine to perform the transmission when the PDN connectionbetween PGW 30 and the UE 10 of the related art is established, but maydetermine not to transmit when the direct communication path isestablished.

The UE 10 that completes the establishment of the communication path ofthe LTE(D) with the UE 10 a may transmit a direct transfer message tothe eNB 45 (S1722). The eNB 45 may transmit the PDN connectioncompletion notification to the MME 40 based on the reception of thedirect transfer message (S1724).

As stated above, the UE 10 may notify the MME 40 that the establishmentof the direct communication path is completed by transmitting the directtransfer message and the PDN connection completion notification.

The RRC reconfiguration completion notification and the bearerconfiguration response may not be transmitted. For example, the UE 10may determine to perform the transmission when the PDN connectionbetween PGW 30 and the UE 10 of the related art is established, but maydetermine not to transmit when the direct communication path isestablished.

When the PDN connection between the PGW 30 and the UE 10 of the relatedart is established, the MME 40 performs the procedure with respect tothe SGW 35 and the PGW 30 after the bearer configuration response or thePDN connection completion notification is received, and updates thebearer configuration.

Specifically, the MME 40 transmits a bearer update request to the SGW 35(S1726), and the SGW 35 transmits the bearer update request to the PGW30 based on the reception (S1728). The PGW 30 transmits a bearer updateresponse to the SGW 35 as a response (S1730), and the SGW 35 transmitsthe bearer update response to the MME 40 based on the reception (S1732).Trough the above procedure, bearer information is updated in eachdevice.

Here, the MME 40 may not transmit the bearer update request bydetermining to perform the transmission when the PDN connection betweenthe PGW 30 and the UE 10 of the related art is established or not toperform the transmission when the direct communication path isestablished. As mentioned above, the MME 40, the SGW 35 and the PGW 30may not perform the update process of the bearer information when thedirect communication path is established.

Through the above procedure, the UE 10 can discover the UE 10 a. The UE10 can start the direct communication of the LTE(D) with the UE 10 a bydiscovering the UE 10 a.

Although it has been described in the present example that the UE 10transmits the PDN connectivity request when the UE 10 starts thecommunication with the UE 10 a, the present embodiment is not limitedthereto, but the PDN connectivity request may be previously transmitted.

For example, the UE 10 obtains the permission based on the fact that thePDN connectivity request for the establishment of the communication pathof the LTE(D) is previously transmitted when the terminal is started orthe application is started, the UE 10 may immediately establish thedirect communication path when it is determined to start thecommunication with the UE 10 a (S1717).

Although it has been described in the above example that thecommunication path based on the LTE(D) in order to perform thecommunication through the APP 1 is established and the communication isstarted, the UE 10 can apply the aforementioned method to thecommunication through the APP 2 and the communication through the APP 3,as shown in (a) of FIG. 4.

For example, when the communication of the APP 2 is performed, the UE 10requests the permission for the establishment of the communication pathof the WLAN(D) by selecting the APN which permits the WLAN(D) and addingthe selected APN to the PDN connectivity request.

The UE 10 receives whether or not the establishment of the communicationpath of the WLAN(D) is permitted, and establishes the directcommunication path of the WLAN(D) when the communication pathestablishment is permitted.

When the MME 40 permits the establishment of the communication pathbased on the WLAN(D), information such as SSID for allowing the UE 10and the UE 10 a to perform the direct communication may be included.

When the communication of the APP 3 is performed, the PDN connectivityrequest including the APN which permits the LTE(D) and the WLAN(D) maybe transmitted. Alternatively, after it is determined to use the LTE(D),the APN which permits only the LTE(D) may be selected, and the PDNconnectivity request including the selected APN may be transmitted.Alternatively, after it is determined to use the WLAN(D), the APN whichpermits only the WLAN(D) may be selected, and the PDN connectivityrequest including the selected APN may be transmitted.

As stated above, the UE 10 performs the establishment procedure afterthe permission for the establishment of the direct communication pathcorrelated with the application is requested to the mobile communicationprovider. The permission request is performed based on the informationcorrelated with the direct communication path. Thus, for example, whenthere is a plurality of applications correlated with the LTE(D), thepermission request may not be transmitted for each individualapplication.

For example, when the communication using the LTE(D) is permitted at thetime of starting the communication of the APP 1, if the communicationusing the LTE(D) is performed by the application different from the APP1, it is determined that the communication path establishment is alreadypermitted, and the direct communication path may be established.

In order to perform the communication through the APP 3, the UE 10 maytransmit the PDN connectivity request including the APN which permitsthe LTE(D) and the WLAN(D), and may establish the communication pathwith the UE by arbitrarily selecting the direct communication path ofthe LTE(D) or the direct communication path of the WLAN(D) when theestablishment of the communication paths of both the LTE(D) and theWLAN(D) is permitted.

In the UE 10 a as the communication partner, the permission procedurebased on the PDN connectivity request described above in order to obtainthe permission of the communication provider at the time of establishingthe direct communication path.

Alternatively, the permission procedure based on the PDN connectivityrequest may be performed when the establishment of the directcommunication path is requested from the UE 10. That is, the completionof the permission procedure of the UE 10 a as the communication partnerat the time of establishing the direct communication path between the UE10 and the UE 10 a may be one condition for establishing the directcommunication path.

When data of the application is transmitted and received, the UE 10performs the communication by selecting the direct communication pathcorrelated with the application.

Here, the UE 10 may establish the communication path with the PGW 30 byusing the APN 4 which does not permit the establishment of the directcommunication path in the state in which the direct communication pathis established using the APN such as the APN 1 which permits theestablishment of the direct communication path.

In this case, the UE 10 may transmit and receive data by managing theapplication and the communication path in correlation with each other,specifying the application from transmission and reception data, andselecting the communication path correlated with the specifiedapplication.

Thus, the UE 10 can transmit and receive data of the application whichperforms the direct communication by selecting the direct communicationpath, and can transmit and receive data of the application whichperforms the communication via the core network by selecting thecommunication path connected to the PGW 30.

The UE 10 may retain a bearer ID of the established direct communicationpath, and a bearer ID of the communication path established with the PGW30, and may manage the communication path in correlation with the bearerID.

The application and the bearer ID may be managed in correlation witheach other based on the correlation of the communication path with theapplication and the correlation of the communication path with thebearer ID.

The UE 10 may specify the application from the transmission andreception data based on the correlation of the application with thebearer ID, and may transmit and receive the data by selecting the bearerID correlated with the specified application.

Thus, the UE 10 can transmit and receive data of the application whichperforms the direct communication by selecting the bearer ID correlatedwith the direct communication path, and can transmit and receive data ofthe application which performs the communication via the core network byselecting the bearer ID correlated with the communication path connectedto the PGW 30.

The UE 10 may manage the communication path and the PDN connection incorrelation with each other by establishing the PDN connection forperforming the communication using the established direct communicationpath and establishing the PDN connection for performing thecommunication using the communication path established with the PGW 30.

The application and the PDN connection may be managed in correlationwith each other based on the correlation of the communication path withthe application and the correlation of the communication path with thePDN connection.

The UE 10 may specify the application from the transmission andreception data based on the correlation of the application with the PDNconnection, and may transmit and receive the data by selecting thebearer ID correlated with the specified application.

Thus, the UE 10 can transmit and receive data of the application whichperforms the direct communication by selecting the PDN connection of thedirect communication path, and can transmit and receive data of theapplication which performs the communication via the core network byselecting the PDN connection of the communication path connected to thePGW 30.

Here, application specifying means for specifying the applicationcorresponding to the data transmitted and received when the data istransmitted and received may specify the application based on theapplication based on IP5 tuple information such as a transmission sourceaddress, a transmission destination address, a protocol number, atransmission source port number, and a transmission destination portnumber. The application may be specified based on the identificationinformation such as an application ID.

[1.3.4.2 Communication Path Establishment Procedure 2]

A method different from the method described in Communication PathEstablishment Procedure 1 of 1.3.4.1 will be described as the procedureof performing the proximity discovery on the UE capable of performingthe direct communication and starting to transmit and receive the datathrough the direct communication.

In Communication Path Establishment Procedure 1 of 1.3.4.1, theprocedure of requesting that the provider is to permit the establishmentof the direct communication path of the UE is performed based on the UErequested PDN connectivity procedure. Meanwhile, in the present example,the procedure of requesting that the provider is to permit theestablishment of the communication path of the UE is performed based ona service request procedure.

Communication Path Establishment Procedure 2 through the directcommunication will be described with reference to FIG. 18. In thepresent example, the UE 10 detects the UE positioned in proximity enoughto perform the communication using the APP 1 as described above. Theinformation regarding the usable direct communication path is obtained.

In the present example, a procedure starting from a state in which theUE 10 detects the UE 10 a as the UE positioned in proximity based on thenotification from the ProSe Server 90 and detects that the usablecommunication path is the communication path based on the LTE(D) will bedescribed.

Initially, the UE 10 determines to start transmitting and receiving datato and from the UE 10 c through the ProSe (S1802). A specificdetermination method is the same as the method (S1702) in which the UE10 determines to start transmitting and receiving data to and from theUE 10 c through the ProSe in Communication Path Establishment Procedure1 described with reference to FIG. 17, and thus, the description thereofwill be omitted.

Before the communication path based on the LTE(D) with the UE 10 a isestablished, the UE 10 may start the discovery of the communicationtarget UE (S1803 a). A specific method is the same method (S1702) ofstarting the discovery of the communication target UE in CommunicationPath Establishment Procedure 1 described with reference to FIG. 17, andthus, the description thereof will be omitted.

The UE 10 establishes the communication path based on the LTE(D) withthe UE 10 a based on the approval of the communication provider. As amethod of requesting the approval of the communication provider, theservice request may be transmitted to the eNB 45 based on the servicerequest procedure of the UE (S1804). Here, the UE 10 transmits theservice request by adding the APN to the service request.

In the procedure described herein, the service request may betransmitted in order for the UE 10 and the UE 10 a to change from aconnection standby state (idle) to a connected state.

The UE 10 that transmits the service request retains the APN correlatedwith the usable direct communication path, and when the usable directcommunication path of the APP 1 is the LTE(D) and the UE 10 requests theapproval for the establishment of the direct communication path of theLTE(D), the APN correlated with the LTE(D) is selected.

The APN managed in correlation with the direct communication path may beplural in number. For example, a plurality of different APNs such as anAPN 1 correlated with the LTE(D), APN 2 correlated with the WLAN(D), andan APN 3 correlated with the plurality of direct communication pathssuch as the LTE(D) and the WLAN(D) may be managed.

This means that the APN is managed in correlation with permissioninformation for the establishment of the direct communication path. Forexample, the APN is managed such that the LTE(D) is permitted in the APN1, the WLAN(D) is permitted in the APN 2, and the LTE(D) and the WLAN(D)is permitted in the APN 3.

The UE 10 may retain an APN other than the APN which permits theestablishment of the direct communication path, such as an APN 4 whichdoes not permit the establishment of the direct communication path.

In order to request the permission for the establishment of the directcommunication path of the LTE(D) to the MME 40, the UE 10 selects theAPN which permits the LTE(D), among the plurality of APNs, and adds theselected APN to the PDN connectivity request.

Although it has been described in the above example that the UE 10 canselect the APN 1 or the APN 3, the UE may manage the application incorrelation with the APN such that the APN 1 is used for the APP 1, andmay select the APN based on the correlation information. Alternatively,the APN may be arbitrarily selected.

In the discovery of the communication target UE, the resolution of theIP address of the UE 10 a may be performed. In order to perform theresolution of the IP address, the IP address of the UE 10 a may besimultaneously included when the UE 10 receives a response from the UE10 a.

When the service request is transmitted to the eNB 45 (S1804), the UE 10adds the APN corresponding to the usable communication path of the UE 10a notified in the Server contact list 942 to the service request. Here,since the application that supports the direct communication of theLTE(D) is used, the UE 10 adds the APN 1 to the service request.

In any type of application, the WLAN(D) may be established. When boththe LTE(D) and the WLAN(D) can be established, the UE 10 may arbitrarilydetermine any one of the LTE(D) and the WLAN(D), or may determine anyone of the LTE(D) and the WLAN(D) by using the notification from thenetwork.

The eNB 45 receives the service request from the UE 10, and transmitsthe service request including the APN to the MME 40 (S1806).Accordingly, the UE 10 transmits the service request to the MME 40through the eNB 45.

Subsequently, the MME 40 receives the service request transmitted fromthe eNB 45, and checks the included APN. The checking of the APN isperformed by determining that the received APN is the APN which permitsthe LTE(D) based on the permission information 442 for the establishmentof the communication path. Thus, the MME 40 detects that the UE 10requests the permission for the establishment of the directcommunication path based on the LTE(D).

The MME 40 manages the APN that can be used for each UE, and determineswhether or not the UE 10 can use the APN notified from the UE 10. Whenthe UE 10 can use the APN, the MME 40 permits the establishment of thecommunication path correlated with the establishment of the directcommunication path correlated with the APN, and does not permit the whenthe UE 10 is not able to use APN.

Through the above procedure, the MME 40 can determine to permit theestablishment of the direct communication path based on the LTE(D) ofthe UE 10.

When the MME 40 determines as the permission, the MME 40 transmits acontext configuration request to the eNB 45 (S1808), and the eNB 45transmits a radio bearer establishment request to the UE 10 based on thecontext configuration request (S1810). Thus, the MME 40 notifies the UE10 that it is determined that the establishment of the directcommunication path based on the LTE(D) is permitted.

Here, the context configuration request and the radio bearerestablishment request may include a flag, such as ProSe Indicator, whichexplicitly indicates that the establishment of the PDN connectionbetween the PGW and the UE of the related art is not permitted and theestablishment of the direct communication path is permitted.

The eNB 45 may determine whether or not to establish the wirelesscommunication path for transmitting and receiving data with the UE 10 byincluding the ProSe Indicator.

For example, the eNB may detect that the establishment requested fromthe UE 10 is the direct communication path between the UEs, may notperform the establishment of the wireless communication path fortransmitting and receiving the data including the allocation of theradio resource between the eNB 45 and the UE 10 based on the detection.

The eNB may detect that the establishment requested from the UE 10 isnot the direct communication path between the UEs, and may establish theestablishment of the wireless communication path including theallocation of the radio resource between the eNB 45 and the UE 10 basedon the detection.

Subsequently, the UE 10 receives a radio bearer establishment requestfrom the eNB 45, and detects that the establishment of the communicationpath based on the LTE(D) is permitted. The detection may be performed bydetecting that the ProSe Indicator is included in the notification.

The MME 40 may notify the UE 10 of the context configuration request andthe radio bearer establishment require by including informationregarding a bearer ID or an IP address used by the UE 10 in order toperform the communication using the direct communication path or afrequency used for the direct communication.

Although it has been described that the discovery of the communicationtarget UE is started before the service request is transmitted (S1703a), the discovery may be started after the radio bearer establishmentrequest is received (S1803 b).

The UE 10 receives the radio bearer establishment request, andestablishes the direct communication path with the UE 10 a when theestablishment is permitted by the MME 40 (S1812). The UE 10 may notestablish the direct communication path when the establishment is notpermitted.

The UE 10 may determine whether or not to establish the directcommunication path based on the communication path correlated with theAPP and the direct communication path permitted by the MME 40.Alternatively, the UE 10 may determine whether or not to establish thedirect communication path based on any one of the information regardingthe communication path correlated with the APP and the directcommunication path permitted by the MME 40.

For example, when the direct communication path correlated with the APP1 is the LTE(D) and the APN permitted by the MME permits that theestablishment of both the LTE(D) and the WLAN(D), since the LTE(D) iscorrelated with the APP 1 and the LTE(D) is permitted by the APN, the UE10 determines to establish the direct communication path of the LTE(D).

In the establishment procedure of the direct communication path based onthe LTE(D) with the UE 10 a, the UE 10 may establish the communicationpath by using the frequency obtained from the RRC connectionreconfiguration notification, or may establish the communication path bypreviously allocating a frequency to be used.

Here, the bearer ID or the IP address obtained from the RRC connectionreconfiguration notification may be notified to the UE 10 a, may bemanaged in correlation with the direct communication path, and may beused at the time of performing the direct communication.

At the time of establishing the direct communication path with the UE 10a, any one of the UE 10 and the UE 10 a may allocate the IP address orthe bearer ID and may notify the other one of the IP address or bearerID, and the other one may obtain the notified IP address or bearer ID,may manage the obtained IP address or bearer ID in correlation with thedirect communication path, and may use the IP address or bearer ID atthe time of performing the direct communication.

As mentioned above, the UE 10 and the UE 10 a can start thecommunication by establishing the direct communication path. When thecommunication path based on the LTE(D) is established for thecommunication of the APP 1, the UE 10 selects the direct communicationpath in order to transmit communication data of the APP 1, and transmitsthe communication data of the APP 1.

More specifically, at the time of transmitting user data of the APN 1,the correlated IP address may be selected, and the communication may beperformed. The correlated bearer ID may be selected, the communicationpath may be specified, and the communication may be performed.

As for another application different from the APP 1, the communicationis performed by establishing the connection with the PGW and selecting acommunication path different from the direct communication path.

The UE 10 that completes the establishment of the communication path ofthe LTE(D) with the UE 10 a may transmit a context initializationcompletion notification to the MME 40 (S1814).

The UE 10 may notify the MME 40 that the establishment of the directcommunication path is completed by transmitting the contextinitialization completion notification.

The UE 10 may not transmit the context initialization completionnotification. For example, the UE 10 may determine to perform thetransmission when the PDN connection between the PGW and the UE of therelated art, or may determine not to perform the transmission when thedirect communication path is established.

When the PDN connection between the UE 10 and the PGW 30 of the relatedart is established, after the context initialization completionnotification is received, the MME 40 performs the procedure between theSGW 35 and the PGW 30, and updates the bearer configuration.

Specifically, the MME 40 transmits a bearer update request to the SGW 35(S1816), and the SGW 35 transmits the bearer update request to the PGW30 based on the reception (S1820). The PGW 30 transmits a bearer updateresponse to the SGW 35 (S1822), as a response, and the SGW 35 transmitsthe bearer update response to the MME 40 based on the reception (S1824).Through the above procedure, the bearer information is updated in eachdevice.

Here, when the PDN connection between the PGW 30 and the UE 10 of therelated art is established, the MME may determine to perform thetransmission. Meanwhile, when the direct communication path isestablished, the MME may determine not to perform the transmission, andthe MME 40 may not transmit the bearer update request. As stated above,when the direct communication path is established, the MME 40, the SGW35, and the PGW 30 may not perform the update process of the bearerinformation.

Through the above procedure, the UE 10 can discover the UE 10 a. The UE10 can start the direct communication of the LTE(D) with the UE 10 a bydiscovering the UE 10 a.

Although it has been described in the present example that thetransmission of the service request by the UE 10 is performed when theUE 10 starts the communication with the UE 10 a, the present inventionis not limited thereto, but the service request may be previouslytransmitted.

For example, the UE 10 may previously obtain permission based on thetransmission of the service request for the establishment of the directcommunication path of the LTE(D) at the time of starting the terminal orat the time of starting the application, and may immediately establishthe direct communication path when the UE 10 determines to start thecommunication with the UE 10 a (S1812).

Although it has been described in the above example that thecommunication is started by establishing the direct communication pathbased on the LTE(D) in order to perform the communication of the APP 1,the UE 10 can apply the aforementioned method to the communication ofthe APP 2 and the communication of the APP 3, as shown in (a) of FIG. 4.

For example, when the communication of the APP 2 is performed, the UE 10requests the permission for the establishment of the communication pathof the WLAN(D) by selecting the APN that permits the WLAN(D) and addingthe selected APN to the PDN connection request.

The UE 10 receives whether or not the establishment of the communicationpath of the WLAN(D) is permitted, and establishes the directcommunication path of the WLAN(D) when the establishment is permitted.

When the establishment of the communication path based on the WLAN(D) ispermitted, the MME 40 may add information such as SSID for allowing theUE 10 and the UE 10 a to perform the direct communication to the servicerequest.

When the communication of the APP 3 is performed, the MME may transmitthe PDN connection request by including the APN which permits the LTE(D)and the WLAN(D). After it is determined to use the LTE(D), the MME maytransmit the PDN connection request by selecting the APN which permitsthe LTE(D). After it is determined to use the WLAN(D), the MME maytransmit the PDN connection request by selecting the APN which permitsonly the WLAN(D).

As stated above, the UE 10 performs the establishment procedure afterthe permission of the mobile communication provider is obtained for theestablishment of the direct communication path correlated with theapplication. The request for the permission is performed based on theinformation correlated with the direct communication path. Thus, forexample, when there is a plurality of applications correlated with theLTE(D), the permission request may not be transmitted to the individualapplication.

For example, when the communication is permitted using the LTE(D) at thetime of starting the communication of the APP 1, if an applicationdifferent from the APP 1 performs the communication of the LTE(D), thedirect communication path may be established by determining that thecommunication is already permitted.

In order to perform the communication through the APP 3, when the UE 10transmits the service request including the APN which permits the LTE(D)and the WLAN(D) and the establishment of both the communication paths ofthe LTE(D) and the WLAN(D) is established, the UE may establish thedirect communication path by arbitrarily selecting the directcommunication path of the LTE(D) or the direct communication path of theWLAN(D).

The UE 10 a as the communication partner may perform the permissionprocedure based on the service request described above in order toobtain the permission of the communication provider at the time of theestablishment of the direct communication path.

Alternatively, the permission procedure may be performed based on theservice request when the establishment of the direct communication pathis obtained from the UE 10. That is, at the time of establishing thedirect communication path the UE 10 and the UE 10 a, the completion ofthe permission procedure of the UE 10 a as the communication partner maybe one condition for establishing the direct communication path.

As mentioned above, when data of the application is transmitted andreceived, the UE 10 performs the communication by selecting the directcommunication path correlated with the application.

Here, the UE 10 may establish the communication path with the PGW 30using the APN 4 which does not permit the establishment of the directcommunication path in the state in which the direct communication pathis established using the APN such as the APN 1 which permits theestablishment of the direct communication path.

In this case, the UE 10 may transmit and receive data by managing theapplication and the communication path in correlation with each other,specifying the application from transmission and reception data, andselecting the communication path correlated with the specifiedapplication.

Thus, the UE 10 can transmit and receive data of the application whichperforms the direct communication by selecting the direct communicationpath, and can transmit and receive data of the application whichperforms the communication via the core network by selecting thecommunication path connected to the PGW 30.

The UE 10 may retain a bearer ID of the established direct communicationpath, and a bearer ID of the communication path established with the PGW30, and may manage the communication path in correlation with the bearerID. The application and the bearer ID may be managed in correlation witheach other based on the correlation of the communication path with theapplication and the correlation of the communication path with thebearer ID.

The UE 10 may specify the application from the transmission andreception data based on the correlation of the application with thebearer ID, and may transmit and receive the data by selecting the bearerID correlated with the specified application.

Thus, the UE 10 can transmit and receive data of the application whichperforms the direct communication by selecting the bearer ID correlatedwith the direct communication path, and can transmit and receive data ofthe application which performs the communication via the core network byselecting the bearer ID correlated with the communication path connectedto the PGW 30.

The UE 10 may manage the communication path and the PDN connection incorrelation with each other by establishing the PDN connection forperforming the communication using the established direct communicationpath and establishing the PDN connection for performing thecommunication using the communication path established with the PGW 30.The application and the PDN connection may be managed in correlationwith each other based on the correlation of the communication path withthe application and the correlation of the communication path with thePDN connection.

The UE 10 may specify the application from the transmission andreception data based on the correlation of the application with the PDNconnection, and may transmit and receive the data by selecting thebearer ID correlated with the specified application.

Thus, the UE 10 can transmit and receive data of the application whichperforms the direct communication by selecting the PDN connection of thedirect communication path, and can transmit and receive data of theapplication which performs the communication via the core network byselecting the PDN connection of the communication path connected to thePGW 30.

Here, application specifying means for specifying the applicationcorresponding to the data transmitted and received when the data istransmitted and received may specify the application based on theapplication based on IP5 tuple information such as a transmission sourceaddress, a transmission destination address, a protocol number, atransmission source port number, and a transmission destination portnumber. The application may be specified based on the identificationinformation such as an application ID.

1.3.5 Disconnection Procedure

In this section, a method of stopping transmitting and receiving data toand receive the UE 10 a through the ProSe during the communicationthrough the direct communication path between the UE 10 and the UE 10 awill be described. Here, the UE 10 is not changed to the idle state fromthe connected state with the UE 10 a, and is changed from the connectedstate to a disconnected state from the UE 10 a.

The method of stopping the transmission and reception of data to andfrom the UE 10 a through the ProSe will be described with reference toFIG. 19. In the following description, the procedure of stopping thedirect communication is started by detecting that the UE 10 stops thedirect communication. Meanwhile, the UE 10 a can perform the sameprocedure.

Initially, the UE 10 detects the stopping of the direct communicationwith the UE 10 a (S1902). Here, as the method of detecting the stoppingof the direct communication, various methods are considered. Forexample, this detection may be performed when the transmission andreception of the data with respect to a direct communication partner iscompleted or when the distance between the UE 10 and the UE 10 aincreases and it is not able to maintain the direct communication.

Thereafter, the UE 10 that detects the direct communication with the UE10 a is stopped transmits a PDN disconnection request to the MME 40(S1904). In this case, the UE may notify the PDN connection requestincluding the ProSe Indicator.

The MME 40 may determine not to perform a procedure of removing thesession executed in the SGW 35 and the PGW 30 based on the APN. The MMEmay detect that the PDN disconnection request is a request forestablishing the direct communication path based on the ProSe Indicator,and may determine not to remove the session executed in the SGW 35 andthe PGW 30.

When it is determined not to remove the session, a session removalrequest (S1906) transmitted to the SGW 35 from the MME 40, a sessionremoval request (S1908) transmitted from the SGW 35 to the PGW 30, asession removal response (S1910) transmitted from the PGW 30 to the SGW35, and a session removal response (S1912) transmitted from the SGW 35to the MME 40 as responses thereof may not be received and transmitted.

As stated above, the MME 40 may select whether or not to remove thesession within the core network, that is, to remove the communicationpath such as the PDN connection depending on the APN which grants thepermission.

Thereafter, the MME 40 transmits a bearer invalidation request to theeNB 45 (S1914). In this case, a bearer ID indicating a bearer associatedwith the direct communication path may be included in the bearerinvalidation request. A flag such as ProSe Indicator which explicitlyindicates that the establishment of the PDN connection between the UEand the PGW of the related art is not permitted and the establishment ofthe direct communication path is permitted may be included in the bearerinvalidation request.

The eNB 45 may determine to remove the wireless communication path withthe UE 10 or release the resource by using the included ProSe Indicator.

For example, the eNB may detect that the removal requested from the UE10 is the direct communication path between the UEs, and may not removethe wireless communication path including the release of the radioresource between the eNB 45 and the UE 10 based on the detection. TheeNB may detect that the removal requested from the UE 10 is not thedirect communication path between the UEs, and may remove the wirelesscommunication path including the release of the radio resource betweenthe eNB 45 and the UE 10 based on the detection.

Subsequently, the eNB 45 transmits the RRC connection reconfigurationnotification for the UE 10 to the UE 10 (S1916). In this case, a bearerID indicating a bearer associated with the direct communication may beincluded in the RRC connection reconfiguration notification. A flag suchas ProSe Indicator which explicitly indicates that the directcommunication path is removed in addition to indicating that theestablishment of the PDN connection is permitted between the UE and thePGW in the related art may be included in the RRC connectionreconfiguration notification.

Subsequently, the UE 10 releases the radio bearer with the UE 10 a(S1918). In this case, the UE 10 may select whether or not to releasethe radio bearer based on the flag which explicitly indicates that thedirect communication path or the bearer ID associated with the directcommunication.

The UE 10 that releases the radio bearer with the UE 10 a transmits theRRC connection reconfiguration completion notification to the MME 40(S1920). The eNB 45 transmits the bearer invalidation response (S1922).

Thereafter, the UE 10 transmits the direct transfer message to the eNB45 (S1924). The eNB 45 transmits an EPS bearer context invalidationresponse to the MME 40 based on the reception of the direct transfermessage (S1926).

Whether or not to transmit the RRC connection reconfiguration completionnotification by the UE 10 may be selected based on whether or not removethe direct communication path. Similarly, whether or not to transmit thedirect transfer message by the UE 10 may be selected based on whether ornot to remove the direct communication path.

For example, the UE 10 may determine to perform the transmission whenthe PDN connection between the PGW and the UE of the related art isremoved, and may determine not to perform the transmission when thedirect communication path is removed.

Through the above procedure, the UE can stop the direct communicationwith the communication target UE during the communication.

As discussed above, in the present embodiment, at the time of thediscovery of the UE as the communication target, the UE as thecommunication source can detect whether or not the communication targetUE is in proximity, can start the discovery of the communication targetUE, and can suppress the waste of the power consumption.

When the UE starts the transmission and reception of data through theProSe, even though the communication target UE is in the proximity ofthe communication source UE, if the communication source UE requests thetransmission and reception of data through the LTE Direct and thecommunication target UE is not able to perform the transmission andreception of data through the LTE Direct, the communication source UEcan suppress the power consumption by preventing unnecessary discoveryfrom being started.

When the UE starts the transmission and reception of data through theProSe, even though the communication target UE is in the proximity ofthe communication source UE, if the communication source UE requests thetransmission and reception of data through the WLAN Direct and thecommunication target UE is not able to perform the transmission andreception of data through the WLAN Direct, the communication source UEcan suppress the power consumption by preventing the unnecessarydiscovery from being started.

When the UE as the communication target is in proximity, thecommunication through the ProSe is started. When the UE as thecommunication target is not in proximity, even though the communicationvia a macro is started, it is possible to prevent the communicationsource UE from randomly discovering the communication target UE, it ispossible to reduce the time necessary to detect that the UE as thecommunication target is not in proximity, and it is not able to causethe delay until the communication via a macro is started.

The UE can discover the UE as the communication target by configuringthe condition for discovering the proximity, and can start the ProSe.

[1.4 Modification Example] [1.4.1 Modification Example 1]

The UE according to the first embodiment manages the UE contact list 144for each application, but may manage one UE contact list 144 for each UEwithout managing the UE contact list 144 for each application.

FIG. 20 shows an example of the UE contact list 144 managed for each UE.As shown in FIG. 20, the UE 10 manages one UE contact list 144.Similarly to the first embodiment, the proximity discovery may not beperformed using the proximity discovery unnecessary check box.

Since the UE 10 retains one UE contact list 144, the ProSe Server 90manages the Server contact list 942 for each UE.

FIG. 21 shows an example of the Server contact list 942 managed by theProSe Server. As shown in FIG. 21, the ProSe Server 90 manages oneServer contact list 942 for each UE.

The mobile communication system or the IP mobile communication networkhas the same configuration except for the above description. The UEshave the same configuration except for the UE contact list 144, and theProSe Server 90 has the same configuration except for the Server contactlist.

The UE positional information notification procedure, the proximitydetection unnecessary notification procedure, the proximity detectionprocedure, the communication path establishment procedure, and thedisconnection procedure can be similarly used, and thus, the descriptionthereof will be omitted.

Thus, even when the UE 10 can use the plurality of applications, it isnot necessary to have a different contact list for each application, andit is possible to share the same contact list by the plurality ofapplications.

[1.4.2 Modification Example 2]

Although it has been described that the UE 10 according to the firstembodiment facilitates (turns ON) both the function of the LTE(D) andthe function of the WLAN(D), the UE 10 may consider the ON or OFF of thefunction of the LTE(D) or the ON or OFF of the function of the WLAN(D).

The UE considers the ON or OFF of the function of the LTE(D) or the ONor OFF of the WLAN(D), and thus, the ProSe Server 90 can include the ONor OFF state of the LTE(D) or the ON or OFF state of the WLAN(D).

(a) of FIG. 22 shows an example of the ON or OFF of the LTE(D) in whichthe UE 10 manages the ON or OFF state of the LTE(D). In FIG. 22, the ONor OFF state of the LTE(D) is turned on.

(b) of FIG. 22 shows an example of the ON or OFF of the WLAN(D) in whichthe UE 10 manages the ON or OFF state of the WLAN(D). In FIG. 22, the ONor OFF state of the WLAN(D) is turned on.

FIG. 23 shows an example of the contact list of the Server contact list942 in which the ON or OFF states of the LTE(D) and the WLAN(D) aremanaged in the ProSe Server 90. Since the LTE(D) and the WLAN(D) areturned on in the UE 10, the ON or OFF states of the LTE(D) and theWLAN(D) are managed in the contact list of the UE 10.

Here, if the state of the LTE(D) is turned off in the UE 10, the stateof the LTE(D) of the contact list of the UE 10 within the Server contactlist 942 may be turned off, or the state of the LTE(D) may not bemanaged.

If the state of the WLAN(D) is turned off in the UE 10, the state of theWLAN(D) of the contact list of the UE 10 within the Server contact list942 may be turned off, or the state of the WLAN(D) may not be managed.In the UE 10 b, the state of the LTE(D) is turned on, the state of theWLAN(D) is turned off.

FIG. 24 shows an example in which the UE positional information of S1008in “1.3.1 UE Positional Notification Procedure” is updated. Here, anupdating example when UE 10 b notifies the OFF state of the LTE(D) isillustrated. The LTE(D) of the UE 10 b is changed from the ON state tothe OFF state before the update and after the update.

Here, the ON or OFF state of the LTE(D) is changed. However, when the ONor OFF state of the WLAN(D) is notified from the UE, the ON or OFF stateof the WLAN(D) may be changed, and when the ON or OFF state of theLTE(D) and the ON or Off state of the WLAN(D) are notified, the ON orOFF state of the LTE(D) and the ON or OFF of the WLAN(D) may be changed.

Not the UE positional information of S1008 in “1.3.1 UE PositionalNotification Procedure” but the ON or OFF state of the LTE(D) and/orWLAN(D) may be updated using the proximity discovery unnecessarynotifying process of S1208 in “1.3.2 Proximity Discovery UnnecessaryProcedure”.

The mobile communication system or the IP mobile communication networkhas the same configuration except for the above description. The UEshave the same configuration except for the ON or OFF state of the LTE(D)or the ON or OFF state of the WLAN(D), and the ProSe Server 90 has thesame configuration except for the Server contact list.

The ProSe Server 90 detects the communication path that can be used atthe time of detecting the proximity UE. However, when the state in whichthe UE invalidates the direct communication path establishment functionsuch as the OFF state of the LTE(D) or the OFF state of the WLAN(D) isreceived and managed, the ProSe Server determines that thesecommunication paths are not available.

The details of another UE positional information notification procedure,proximity detection unnecessary notification procedure, proximitydetection procedure, communication path establishment procedure, anddisconnection procedure are similarly applicable, and thus, thedescription thereof will be omitted.

1.4.3 Modification Example 31

In the first embodiment, the ProSe Server 90 indicates that the LTE(D)and the WLAN(D) can be used in the notification of the contact list ofS1412. However, the ProSe Server 90 may notify the UE 10 of theproximity degree, and the UE 10 may determine to perform the directcommunication depending on the proximity degree. The presentmodification example has a difference from the positional relationshipbetween the UEs is expressed in numerical form and is notified and thegranularity of the positional information can be minutely notified.

FIG. 25 shows an example of a UE action policy managed by the UE 10. Asshown in FIG. 25, the WLAN(D) is performed in a case where the proximitydegrees are 1 to 3, the LTE(D) is performed in a case where theproximity degree is 4, and it is not able to perform the directcommunication in a case where the proximity degree is 5.

Only one proximity degree is not notified, and multiple proximitydegrees are likely to be notified. When the proximity degree of 1 andthe proximity degree of 4 are notified, there is a possibility that theWLAN(D) and the LTE(D) are arbitrarily selected.

FIG. 26 shows an example of the proximity evaluation policy 948 managedby the ProSe Server 90. The ProSe Server 90 evaluates the UE within theServer contact list 942 based on the positional information managementtable 946.

In FIG. 26, if the same AP name is managed in the positionalrelationship between the UEs, it is evaluated as being the proximitydegree of 1, if the same SSID is managed, it is evaluated as being theproximity degree of 2, if the same Realm is managed, it is evaluated asbeing the proximity degree of 3, if the same eNB ID is managed, it isevaluated as being the proximity degree of 4, and when there is not anycorrespondence case, it is evaluated as being the proximity degree of 5.

FIG. 27 shows an example of the proximity evaluation result of S1410 of“1.3.3 Proximity Detection Procedure”. Since the UE 10 are the UE 10 aare managed to be connected to the same AP and are managed to beconnected to the same eNB, the UE 10 a is evaluated as the proximitydegree of 1 and the proximity degree of 4.

Since the UE 10 and the UE 10 b are managed to be connected to the sameeNB, the UE 10 b is evaluated as the proximity degree of 4. Since thepositional information corresponding to the proximity evaluation policy948 is not managed, the UEzz is evaluated as the proximity degree of 5.

The mobile communication system or the IP mobile communication networkhas the same configuration except for the above description. The UE hasthe same configuration except for the UE action policy, and the ProSeServer 90 has the same configuration except for the proximity evaluationpolicy 948.

The UE positional information notification procedure, the proximitydetection unnecessary notification procedure, the proximity detectionprocedure, the communication path establishment procedure, and thedisconnection procedure can be similarly used, and thus, the descriptionthereof will be omitted.

[1.4.4 Modification Example 4]

Although it has been described in the first embodiment that the UE 10establishes the communication path via the MME 40 or the eNB 45 which isthe device of the mobile communication provider in order to establishthe direct communication path, the UE 10 may establish the directcommunication path by using the permitted direct communication path inthe notification of the contact list from the ProSe Server 90.

The mobile communication system or the IP mobile communication networkhas the same configuration except for the above description. Since theUE positional information notification procedure, the proximitydetection unnecessary notification procedure, and the proximitydetection procedure can be similarly used, the description thereof willbe omitted.

[1.4.5 Modification Example 5]

The mobile communication system may have the same configurationillustrated in FIG. 28 not the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1. Ithas been described in FIG. 1 that the ProSe Server 90 is provided on thePDN 20, but may be provided on the IP mobile communication network 5 asshown by a ProSe Server 3390 in FIG. 28.

The ProSe Server 3390 can perform the communication by ensuring a securecommunication path with the UE 10 and the UE 10 a. The ProSe Server 3390can perform the communication by ensuring a secure communication pathwith the MME 40.

The mobile communication system or the IP mobile communication networkhas the same configuration except for the above description. The UEpositional information notification procedure, the proximity detectionunnecessary notification procedure, the proximity detection procedure,the communication path establishment procedure, and the disconnectionprocedure can be similarly used, and thus, the description thereof willbe omitted.

[1.4.6 Modification Example 6]

Although it has been described in the first embodiment that when the UE10 requests the permission for the establishment of the directcommunication path from the mobile communication provider, the UE 10transmits the request including the APN and the mobile communicationprovider determines whether or not to permit the request based on theAPN, determination means is not limited thereto, but another method maybe used.

For example, the MME 40 may manage an application list equivalent to theAPP list 142 retained by the UE 10, may manage the application and thedirect communication path capable of being established in correlationwith each other, and may determine whether or not to permit the requestbased on the managed application list and direct communication path. Inthis case, the UE 10 may transmit the PDN connectivity request (S1704)or the service request (S1804) including the information regarding theapplication.

When the PDN connectivity request or the service request is received,the MME 40 may determine whether or not to permit the includedapplication and the information of the direct communication pathcorrelated with the application. Thus, the MME 40 can notify the UE 10of whether or not to select the usable direct communication path andpermit the establishment of the direct communication path for eachapplication of the UE 10.

The configuration of each device and the procedure except for the abovedescription are the same as those described in the first embodiment, andthe detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As discussed above, although the first embodiment and the plurality ofmodification examples thereof have been described, the respectivemodification examples may be independently applied to the firstembodiment, but may be applied by combining two or more modificationexamples.

[1.4.7 Modification Example 7]

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been describedwith reference to the drawings, a specific configuration is not limitedto the embodiments. Designs within the scope without departing from thegist of the present invention are included in the claims.

In the respective embodiments, programs operated in the respectivedevices are programs (programs causing a computer to perform functions)that control a CPU and the like so as to realize the functions of theembodiments. The information used in these devices is temporarilyaccumulated in a temporary storage device (for example, RAM) during theprocess, and is then stored in a storage device such as various ROMs orHDDs. The stored information is read by the CPU when necessary, and ismodified and written.

As a recording medium that stores the programs, any one of asemiconductor medium (for example, ROM, or non-volatile memory card), anoptical recording medium and a magneto-optical recording medium (forexample, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), MO (Magneto Optical Disc), MD(Mini Disc), CD (Compact Disc), or BD), or a magnetic recording medium(for example, magnetic tape, or flexible disc) may be used.

The functions of the present invention may be realized by performing theprocess in cooperation with other application programs or an operatingsystem based on the instruction of the program, in addition to realizingthe functions of the embodiments by executing the loaded program.

When the programs are distributed on the market, the programs may bedistributed by being stored in a portable recording medium, or may betransmitted to a server computer connected via a network such as theInternet. In this case, a storage device of a server computer may beincluded in the present invention.

In the embodiments, some or all of the respective devices may berealized using LSI (Large Scale Integration) which is an integratedcircuit. The respective functional blocks of the respective devices maybe realized as individual chips, or some or all thereof may be realizedas an integral chip.

The integrated circuit is not limited to the LSI, but may be realized asa private circuit a general-purpose processor. As the semiconductortechnology has progressed, when a technology for realizing theintegrated circuit replaced with the LSI has appeared, it is possible touse integrated circuit realized by this technology.

Although it has been described in the embodiments that the LTE and theWLAN (for example, IEEE 802.11a/b/n) are used as the example of thewireless access network, the connection may be performed through theWiMAX in place of the WLAN.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is applicable to a cellular phone, a personalcomputer, and a tablet computer.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   -   1 Mobile communication system    -   5 IP mobile communication network    -   10 UE    -   20 PDN    -   30 PGW    -   35 SGW    -   40 MME    -   45 eNB    -   50 HSS    -   55 AAA    -   60 PCRF    -   65 ePDG    -   70 WLAN ANa    -   72 WLAN APa    -   74 GW    -   75 WLAN ANb    -   76 WLAN APb    -   80 LTE AN    -   90 ProSe Server

1. A Proximity Services (ProSe) Server comprising: transmitting andreceiving circuitry configured to: receive, from a User Equipment (UE),location information of the UE, intermittently; receive locationinformation of another UE; and transmit, to the UE, a first controlinformation associated with a corresponding application ID among one ormore application IDs; and a controller configured to detect that the UEand the another UE are in proximity, wherein the transmitting andreceiving circuitry is configured for transmitting a plurality ofcontrol information respectively corresponding to each of the one ormore application IDs in a procedure for detecting the another UE.
 2. TheProSe Server according to claim 1, wherein the first control informationincludes information for that the UE performs WLAN direct communicationwith the another UE.
 3. The ProSe Server according to claim 1, whereinthe first control information includes identification informationregarding the another UE.
 4. A communication control method performed bya Core Network, the communication control method comprising: receiving,from a User Equipment (UE), location information of the UE,intermittently; receiving location information of another UE; andtransmitting, to the UE, a first control information associated with acorresponding application ID among one or more application IDs; anddetecting that the UE and the another UE are in proximity; wherein theProSe Server is configured for transmitting a plurality of controlinformation respectively corresponding to each of the one or moreapplication IDs in a procedure for detecting the another UE.
 5. Thecommunication control method according to claim 4, wherein the firstcontrol information includes information for that the UE performs WLANdirect communication with the another UE.
 6. The communication controlmethod according to claim 4, wherein the first control informationincludes identification information regarding the another UE.